The Top Nerve Disorder Center in Pittsburgh, PA
Center for Nerve Disorder @ PHN
After founding and leading the Pittsburgh Hand and Nerve Disorder Center for the past 10 years, Alexander Spiess, MD, has now brought those years of experience treating complex nerve disorders to the Center for Nerve Disorder at Pittsburgh Hand and Nerve, P.C.
Dr. Spiess provides diagnosis and treatment for an array of nerve conditions. He provides comprehensive and holistic care that includes the most advanced operative and non-operative treatments. Dr. Spiess is dedicated to helping patients with complex nerve disorder return to a normal and active life.
Know the Facts
What Are Nerve Disorders?
Peripheral nerves connect the brain and spinal cord to muscles to stimulate movement. They also connect the brain and spinal cord to skin to allow you to feel pain and other sensations.
When we decide to move, the brain sends this information to the spinal cord. From there, the nerves carry the final message to the necessary muscles to make them contract. Similarly, when we touch an object, that information is carried from the skin to the spinal cord and then on to the brain so that we can make sense of that information.
Expert Diagnostics for Nerve Disorder
Providing a Thorough Diagnosis
Peripheral nerve disorders are a common issue with many people and can cause impaired sensation, muscle weakness or wasting, and pain. However, nerve disorders can be difficult to diagnose. Various conditions can cause these symptoms, which can begin with mild weakness or numbness and tingling.
To begin, Dr. Spiess will take a full medical history and perform a physical and neurologic exam that may include checking:
- Tendon reflexes
- Muscle strength and tone
- Ability to feel certain sensations
- Posture and coordination
In addition, Dr. Spiess may request the following tests that can help with diagnosis:
- Electromyography: A test that measures the electrical discharges produced in your muscles.
- Nerve conduction study: A test that measures how quickly nerves carry electrical signals.
- Sudomotor test: A test that evaluates sweat patterns on your extremities.
Nerve compression & nerve injury Treatment in Pittsburgh
Conditions We Treat
Dr. Spiess at the Center for Nerve Disorder @ PHN is able to treat an array of nerve conditions, including:
- Brachial plexus injury
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Cerebral palsy
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Injury to the axillary, musculocutaneous, radial, ulnar, and median nerves
- Migraine
- Nerve compression or entrapments
- Nerve tumors
- Parsonage-Turner syndrome
- Peroneal nerve neuropathy/Foot Drop
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Torticollis
- Upper and lower extremity spasticity
Pittsburgh’s Best Nerve Care
Advanced Nerve Treatment Options
Depending on your nerve condition, our experts utilize the latest treatments available for nerve disorders, including:
- BOTOX® injections
- Decompression of nerve entrapments
- Nerve reconstruction
- Removal of nerve tumors
- Nerve blocks
- Nerve injury repair
- Nerve transfer
- Tendon transfers
- Targeted muscle reinnervation