Last week, we were delighted to welcome Claire Downs, Founder and Clinical Director of The Nerve Injury Clinic, as our latest External Speaker Webinar guest.
With over 30 years’ experience as a neuro‑physiotherapist, Claire delivered a comprehensive and highly informative session on the assessment and management of peripheral nerve injuries – an area that is often misunderstood, underestimated, or regrettably approached with a “wait and see” mindset. Claire’s talk highlighted why early, proactive intervention in peripheral nerve injuries is critical in avoiding complications, entrenched pain, maladaptive movement patterns, and long‑term deterioration. Her message was clear: timely, specialist input can significantly influence recovery trajectories and quality of life outcomes.
Key themes and takeaways included:
– Why peripheral nerve injuries should be treated with the same urgency and respect as brain or spinal cord injuries.
– Understanding the different types of nerve injury, from neuropraxia to neurotmesis, and what this means for recovery.
– The importance of early, proactive intervention to prevent secondary complications.
– How specialist, hands‑on neuro‑physiotherapy can support nerve recovery, pain management, and functional improvement.
– Innovative approaches such as low‑frequency muscle stimulation and Lycra garments to support recovery, posture, and pain control.
– Recognising the unusual but important symptoms of nerve injury, including the sensation of limbs that feel wet when they’re not.
The talk was followed by a rich discussion that was both insightful and practical, with thoughtful questions around amputees, post‑surgical nerve damage, phantom limb pain, and how specialist nerve input fits within a wider MDT.
Claire’s passion for her work was unmistakable, and her core message resonated strongly: Peripheral nerve injuries are life‑changing, but with the right expertise, they are not something individuals should be told to simply wait out.
A huge thank you to Claire for such an engaging and insightful session, it served as an important reminder of just how complex and interconnected the nervous system really is, where small delays or missed opportunities can have long‑lasting consequences. When it comes to nerve injuries, “do not wait and see” isn’t just a mantra – it’s essential advice.
