Police Officer: Nerve Transplant

32-year-old police officer; Nerve transplant procedure

I’ve been a police officer for my entire career. It was something I wanted to do as a boy, and I’d worked very hard to achieve my goals.

Then in early 2002, I was injured by a gunshot wound in the line of duty. I was hit in my left abdomen. The bullet didn’t damage any organs, but it came to rest just short of my spine, and cased extensive nerve damage.

As a result of the injury, I had no feeling on the front side of my left leg, between my quadricep and my ankle. Even worse, I had excruciating pain in the middle of the same leg.

At this point, I was unable to work and the likelihood of my returning to my career as a police officer was minimal.

I was seeing a neurologist for my situation, and their initial diagnosis was simple: I might return to normal, or I might not. As time passed, it became clear that I was not improving. My neurologist suggested I consider a nerve transplant.

My case-study nurse conducted extensive research and recommended Dr. Aaron Filler, associated with Image Based Surgery Center in Santa Monica, California.

During my initial consultation, Dr. Filler spent nearly two hours with me, examining my case, discussing options and possible outcomes, and answering all my questions. He was the first doctor in my entire life that took the time to make sure I had all the information I needed. It was amazing, really.

The first step was to undergo an MR neurography scan. This allowed Dr. Filler to “see” the location of the nerve damage clearly, so that he could determine the best course of action.

Based on Dr. Filler’s recommendations, I underwent nerve graft surgery. Dr. Filler took a portion of my sural nerve (which provides feeling in the foot) from my left leg and grafted it into the damaged location near my spine. He also used a neurontin tube to seal the location and shield it from further injury. I compare it to fixing electrical conduit; he spliced in new wires and used a tube to protect everything.

Within two months, I began to regain sensation in my affected leg. Before, I could sit on a physician examination table and could not lift my right leg. By September of 2003, three months after my surgery, I regained the ability to do so. And by the end of the year, I was back to work, doing light duty.

I went through extensive physical rehabilitation and returned to full active duty by June 2004. I’m now a detective and love my work.

Without Dr. Filler, I would not be a police officer today. I would strongly recommend him to any person suffering from nerve pain. If I hadn’t undergone nerve graft surgery, who knows what I would be doing today? Dr. Filler gave me my life back.

Your safety is our primary concern at Image Based Surgery Center. That's why we only use MRI imaging for your procedures. No dangerous radiation from repeated CT scans or x-rays - only the 100% safe, completely comfortable Philips Panorama MRI for all your imaging requirements.

Additional resources on Nerve Disorders

• NerveMed.com: Nerve Disorders
• Neurography.com: Nerve Disorders

IBSC Case Studies