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The Global Nerve Foundation advances and promotes excellence in nerve care

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Doctor and patient

The Global Nerve Foundation advances and promotes excellence in nerve care

What are Peripheral Nerves?

Peripheral nerves connect the Central Nervous System (CNS) which include the brain and spinal cord, to the rest of the body. The peripheral nerves make up the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) which includes all the nerves in your body from the top of our head to the tips of our toes. These nerves send messages from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles that control the movement of limbs. Peripheral nerves also send sensory information from our body and limbs, such as heat, cold, or pain to the central system nervous system. When these peripheral nerves are damaged, patients can experience loss of extremity function, numbness, or chronic pain sensation. Literature report that more than 90% of upper extremity (arm, wrist, hand) peripheral nerve injuries are missed in the ER.1 People sometimes live with these untreated injuries and decreased quality of life for the rest of their lives. However, treatments are available for many types of peripheral nerve injuries.

NERVES IN THE NEWS

What are Peripheral Nerves?

Peripheral nerves connect the Central Nervous System (CNS) which include the brain and spinal cord, to the rest of the body. The peripheral nerves make up the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) which includes all the nerves in your body from the top of our head to the tips of our toes. These nerves send messages from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles that control the movement of limbs. Peripheral nerves also send sensory information from our body and limbs, such as heat, cold, or pain to the central system nervous system. When these peripheral nerves are damaged, patients can experience loss of extremity function, numbness, or chronic pain sensation. Literature report that more than 90% of upper extremity (arm, wrist, hand) peripheral nerve injuries are missed in the ER.1 People sometimes live with these untreated injuries and decreased quality of life for the rest of their lives. However, treatments are available for many types of peripheral nerve injuries.

Who are Peripheral Nerve Patients?

Peripheral nerve patients are everywhere! Because these nerves run so close to the surface of our skin and through tight places in our body (e.g., carpal tunnel), they are easily injured. Peripheral nerve patients include:
  • Breast cancer patients who underwent a mastectomy and reconstruction
  • Traumatic injury patients dealing with chronic pain, loss of feeling or function of an extremity (arm, leg, etc.).
  • Carpal tunnel patients who have lost mobility of feeling in their fingers.
  • Veterans who experience warfare injuries or have undergone an amputation.
Listen to Corey’s story and how a cut in the kitchen has led to her journey to find care for the injured nerves in her hand.

WHY I SUPPORT THE GNF

Join Us to Improve the Lives of People with Peripheral Nerve Problems

WHY I SUPPORT THE GNF

Join Us to Improve the Lives of People with Peripheral Nerve Problems

RESOURCES

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Stay in touch with everything going on at the GNF. Join our mailing list to learn more about upcoming educational programs and resources that are available.

PUBLIC WEBINARS

Our experts continue to give free educational webinars about nerve problems and finding care. 

FINDING CARE

Use our Member Directory to find care for your peripheral nerve problems. You can filter the directory based on diagnoses or type of injury.

CLINICAL TRIALS

We have partnered with CareBox to help individuals find potential clinical trials that they could qualify for or participate in. Visit our clinical trial page to learn more and complete a questionnaire to learn more about trials taking place and how you can enroll.

CLINICAL TRIALS

We will be partnering with CareBox to help individuals find potential clinical trials that they could qualify for or participate in. Visit our clinical trial page to learn more and complete a questionnaire to learn more about trials taking place and how you can enroll.

PERIPHERAL NERVE AWARENESS

Our Awareness Committee organizes free, public webinars on various peripheral nerve topics such as foot and ankle pain, carpal tunnel, and more!

To review our previous webinars, or to register for upcoming events, click the button below to visit our webinar page. Interested in a specific topic? Contact us to let us know!

Thank you to our Founding Partner!

Thank you to our Annual Partner!

Thank you to our Startup Partners!

Thank you to our Startup Partners!

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