.png "ASPN annual meeting graphic picture")
From January 12-14, the American Society for Peripheral Nerve (ASPN) met in Phoenix, AZ, for the organization's 2018 Annual Meeting. The host site for the meeting was the Arizona Biltmore Hotel.
Eric H. Williams, MD, was pleased to participate in the ASPN event as an instructor for the Surgical Technique for Partial Joint Denervation course. Colleague Sami Tuffaha, MD, also instructed, and A. Lee Dellon, MD, PhD, served as chair for the course.
During the session, the etiology of joint pain from nerve injury and the diagnostic block approach were reviewed for both upper and lower extremity joints – including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle. Additionally, surgical techniques and outcomes of partial joint denervation were reviewed.
The goal for the course was for participants—upon completion—to have the ability to discuss joint pain with a neural origin; identify the innervation of specific joints; discuss the operative technique for partial joint denervation; and describe the clinical outcomes for specific joint denervation surgeries.
Other research presented at the ASPN meeting that Dr. Williams participated in was the "Surgical Management of Post-Traumatic Supraorbital and Supratrochlear Neuromas" paper, which he co-wrote with Drs. Robin S. Yang, Karan Chopra, and A. Lee Dellon. This paper constitutes the first report of successful treatment of neuromas of the supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves by neuroma resection and placement of the proximal ends within the orbital cavity. The surgical technique provided satisfactory relief of neuropathic pain, without causing pain within the implementation site (with ocular movement). This work was presented to show options for patients who have severe pain above the eyes after an injury (due to peripheral nerve damage).
A third presentation involving work Dr. Williams contributed was in the "Outcomes of Surgical Treatment for Occipital Neuralgia – Sport Injury vs Blunt Trauma" poster (see below). As was the case with the "Surgical Management of Post-Traumatic Supraorbital and Supratrochlear Neuromas" paper, this work was done in conjunction with Drs. Yang, Chopra, and Dellon. The poster highlights Dr. Williams' experience in treating post-traumatic occipital nerve pain – a major cause of head and neck pain. It is intended to promote awareness of the fact that surgical treatment can be a safe, effective technique for patients experiencing post-traumatic occipital neuralgia. Further, it looks at the difference between results for individuals who develop the condition on account of sports injury versus those who were involved in a motor vehicle collision.
.png "Poster for Dr. William's work")
As was the case in previous conferences and workshops, the ultimate goal for continuing to champion this particular subject is to improve the lives of patients who have failed orthopedic procedures and treatments—up to and including arthroscopy, fusion, or total joint replacement—and are still experiencing pain and difficulty in their lives. Denervation techniques may be able to benefit those who are in pain and seeking alternative options to reduce pain levels in and around the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle joints.
At this time, Dr. Williams would like to thank Dr. Dellon, the organizer of the course, for inviting him to participate and the ASPN for giving us the forum and opportunity to share our experience with partial joint denervation. This event is always invigorating because it enables medical specialists to hear about the good work colleagues from across the country are performing in the field of peripheral nerve treatment and research.
The ASPN was established in 1990 to provide a forum for the presentation of the latest research and relevant clinical information, stimulate and encourage study and research in neural regeneration, and serve as a unifying authority on all areas of restorative neuroscience and neural regeneration.
The organization is formed by a diverse group of medical and scientific professionals, including neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, general surgeons, physical therapists, hand therapists, and scientists. So many disciplines are represented on account of the overlap in the fields of neuroscience.
Dr. Williams looks forward to attending next year's ASPN meeting (although he is currently unsure if he will do so in a presenter or general attendee role).
