Do nerves regenerate?

Question

I had mastectomies, and now, three years later, I still episodically develop stinging pain in one area or another. It lasts a few weeks, then fades. It's been explained as nerve regeneration. But I thought that nerves don't regenerate. I know spinal cord injuries, for example, don't heal themselves. So what DO damaged nerves do? Can they regrow, but in the wrong place? (I wonder this because I have areas of my axilla that, when touched, cause sensation in my back.) Can they ever repair themselves? I'm curious, not concerned.

Answer 1

Difference in terms, with different meanings. Nerve ENDINGS can 'regenerate", nerve cells cannot. We experience feeling only at nerve endings...that is why an amputee can experience itching in a limb that has been removed....the nerve itself needs stimulation, but the brain only recognizes feeling at the nerve ending...hence, find what is left of the nerve and stimulate it and the 'itching' will stop. The stimulation is done NO WHERE near where the "itching" occurs.
When nerve axons or dendrites (nerve cell extensions that carry the signals to and from the nerve cell) are cut, over time, they will often regenerate to provide new nerve endings..this is a slow process and can generate nasty sensations while doing so...itching, burning, etc...and it is often hard to find the spot to stimulate to stop the sensation. Spinal cord injuries are so severe and are so far away from the nerve endings that the regeneration is impossible...to date. Research in Stem Cell propagation has shown very exciting results in mice so far...perhaps there will be a day when we CAN repair spinal cord injuries, at least somewhat. But, if current ridiculous prohibitions to this research are not lifted, the prospects of repairing these injuries will be in the distant future. Here, Religious beliefs are getting in the way of real medical progress.
Your healing is taking place at a normal rate, may take many years before you feel "normal" again...often, as much as 10 years will pass before you are back to somewhat normal feelings. Good luck

Answer 2

Can Nerves Regenerate

Answer 3

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Answer 4

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RE:
Do nerves regenerate?
I had mastectomies, and now, three years later, I still episodically develop stinging pain in one area or another. It lasts a few weeks, then fades. It's been explained as nerve regeneration. But I thought that nerves don't regenerate. I know spinal cord injuries, for example, don't...

Answer 5

Nerve cells are generally thought not to regenerate, although some recent research in mice has suggested that is not the case.

Answer 6

Myelinated (white matter) nerves and myelinated neurons within them may have a chance of regenerating. Non-myeliated (gray matter) don't. Schwann cells encircle the axons of neurons and protect them with all the myelin, but if damaged, Schwann cells will allow repair and new axon will grow down the Schwann cells and develop a new protective myelin covering while regenerating even further.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

after shoulder surgury i had very little sensation in my left arm. the doctor told me it would not happen overnight but the nerves would regenerate and the sensations would find different paths. i have full feeling in it but it took 4-5 years and the progression was really not noticable.