Investigation of neurobiology behind painful neuroma

Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain that affects a lot of people and makes life hard. One specific kind of this pain, called painful neuroma, happens when damaged nerves grow out of control after an injury. We`re trying to understand why this happens and how surgery can help. This project aims to figure out what causes pain in painful neuromas and how surgery can relieve this pain. We`re doing two trials, one with people and one with animals. In the human trial, we`re studying painful neuromas from patients who had surgery and comparing them to healthy nerves. In the animal trial, we`re making painful neuromas in nerves and then treating them with surgery to see what changes. This project will provide new insights into the causes of painful neuromas, the connection between pain-related genes and immune cells, and the experience of pain. This knowledge could lead to better treatments. We`ll also learn more about the effectiveness of surgery in treating painful neuromas and how it changes nerve function, potentially leading to improved pain relief.

Achievements at International Conferences Our research team has achieved outstanding success at international scientific conferences over the past two years. We presented our work on nerve repair and bionic technologies at over 20 events, including leading meetings of the European Society for Nerve Surgery and U.S. specialized congresses on pain research. Key Presentations Plenary Lectures: More than 10 main lectures showcasing our latest findings. Topics included surgical treatment of occipital neuralgia and innovative devices for restoring movement and sensation. These contributions sparked significant interest among peers in medicine and engineering. Poster Presentations: Approximately 15 posters featuring detailed studies on animal models and patient samples. Special emphasis was placed on nerve damage and regenerative approaches, opening up concrete treatment solutions for those affected. Relevance and Outlook These presentations fostered valuable collaborations with institutions such as Harvard Bionics, MGH, and Cornell. The intensive professional discussions advance our research further. For patients, this means progress in managing chronic pain and more adaptable prosthetics. These accomplishments highlight the high impact of our work-from basic research to clinical application. We look forward confidently to future developments.