UPMC Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Disorder Center

If you have a nerve problem, you may experience weakness, numbness, or tingling in your arms or legs. Your skin may feel like pins and needles, or completely numb, as if it's "asleep." In some cases, the pins and needles become so intense that they become painful.

At the UPMC Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Disorder Center, our specialists are dedicated to diagnosing and treating a wide range of nerve conditions. Our goal is to help patients recover movement and reduce discomfort.

Conditions We Treat

Our team is highly experienced in treating complex nerve injuries and conditions, including:

Benign or malignant nerve tumors.
Brachial plexus injury.
Functional limitations following Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Idiopathic brachial neuropathy (Parsonage-Turner syndrome).
Peripheral nerve injuries affecting:
- Axillary, musculocutaneous, spinal accessory, long thoracic, radial, ulnar, or median nerves.
- Femoral, sciatic, or peroneal nerves.
Post-amputation and phantom limb discomfort.
Specific neuropathies such as:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Cubital tunnel syndrome.
- Peroneal nerve neuropathy.
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Spinal cord injury and upper arm limitations.
Upper and lower limb spasticity, including cerebral palsy.

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What Are Nerves?

Nerves act like electrical cables that carry information between your brain and the rest of your body.

For example:

To move your hand, your brain sends a signal through nerves to your muscles.
To feel a touch on your skin, that information travels through sensory nerves to your brain.

Nerves can be injured by trauma, compressed due to anatomical changes, or stop working well for unclear reasons. For instance, we often don’t know what causes carpal tunnel syndrome, but splinting or surgery often improves symptoms regardless of the cause.

At UPMC, we specialize in restoring nerve function and improving the quality of life for patients with these issues.

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Symptoms of Nerve Problems

Nerve damage can interrupt the ability of your brain and muscles to communicate.

Symptoms include:

Muscle weakness or paralysis.
Numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, hands, or feet. The tingling can become so intense that it becomes painful.

When to see a nerve specialist

Delaying some treatments can lead to permanent nerve damage. Some surgical procedures are more effective or only effective when done early. If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, contact a nerve specialist.

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How Are Nerve Disorders Diagnosed?

Diagnosis begins with a physical exam and medical history.

Depending on your symptoms, we may recommend:

Electromyography (EMG) – to assess muscle response.
Nerve conduction studies – to evaluate how well electrical signals travel through nerves.

These tools help us determine the exact nature of the nerve problem and recommend appropriate treatment.

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Treatment Options for Nerve Disorders

Treatment depends on the type and severity of your condition. In some cases, nerves may heal on their own. In others, surgery may be beneficial to restore function.

Non-operative treatments may include:

Exercises, sometimes supervised by a physical or occupational therapist.
Splinting or bracing.
We’ll discuss ways to help you get and stay comfortable.

Surgical and advanced treatment options include:

BOTOX^® injections for spasticity or nerve pain.
Decompression surgery (relieving pressure on a nerve).
Joint fusion.
Nerve repair and reconstruction.
Nerve or tendon transfers.
Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface (RPNI).
Removal of nerve tumors.
Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR).

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Our Location

UPMC Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Disorder Center
UPMC Mercy Professional Building
1350 Locust St., Suite G-103
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412-232-5616

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By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-12-02.