How Do You Know if a Nerve Was Hit During the Miradry Procedure?

Question

If someone had Miradry performed 3 days ago and still has some numbness in both pits. However, the inside of the left arm from the pit through to the bicep down to the inside of the forearm to the wrist...is still numb and has not gotten any better. What has gone wrong?

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Anon, although MiraDry is a non-invasive device, it works by heating the armpit tissue at the level where the sweat glands live. You may also get some collateral injury to the sensory nerves, but this is usually temporary. There is a nerve that courses through the armpit and provides sensation to the inner arm region. This should heal with time (weeks-to-months), but I would definitely let your physician know what you are experiencing.

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

After Miradry procedure you may experience some numbness and discomfort. It usually lasts a few day but since we performed hundreds of these procedures in our office we came across a few patients (very small number) who had these sensation for several weeks. It resolved in all patients without any intervention.

Melissa Chiang, MD, FAAD · Answer

The energy that miraDry delivers can cause collateral damage to other structures in the armpit.  For example, we know miraDry affects hair follicles, causing less hair to grow after the procedure.  Depending on the patient's body habitus and the size of their armpit, temporary numbness, tingling, or a pins-and-needles sensation can occur after miraDry.  It can take several months for this to resolve, but there have been no reports of permanent damage.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

I utilize the tumescent technique using a microcannula and this reduces the risk of nerve damage in patients. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian Los Angeles

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

There should not be any of this occuring with the new tumescent protocol but permanent nerve damage is unlikely.

Shareef Jandali, MD · Answer

Don't worry. It is very normal to have temporary numbness after miraDry in the underarm area and the upper arm. This can take a few weeks or even longer to resolve. You should consult with your physician who performed the procedure for a follow-up exam to ensure this is part of the normal recovery after miraDry.

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Even at maximal doses (level 5), the risk of injury is very very small. As a matter of fact, Miramar Labs that manufactures the machine has reprogrammed it to automatically deliver less energy at the tail end of the treatment grid to reduce the likelihood of nerve injury in thin patients.

Larry Fan, MD · Answer

Dear anon,

	MiraDry is a very safe and effective, non-invasive treatment for excessive underarm sweating.

	After the procedure, common side effects include bruising, swelling, and temporary numbness and tingling of the underarms. Very rarely (a few per thousand cases), temporary numbness or tingling of the arms extending beyond the axilla occurs. In these situations, the numbness typically disappears within several weeks to months. Please be sure to maintain contact with your miraDry physician.

	I hope this helps.

	Warmest wishes,

	Larry Fan, MD

Cameron Rokhsar, MD, FAAD · Answer

numbness and tingling sensations are rare but temporary side effects that are associated with the miradry procedure. No permanent nerve related side effects have been reported as a result of the miradry procedure.

William P. Coleman III, MD · Answer

Do not be alarmed. Although numbness extending beyond the underarm after treatment is unusual, it has been seen in a few people out of the thousands treated worldwide. Numbness after miraDry is temporary. Rarely, a small sensory nerve in the underarm is irritated by the energy used to eliminate sweat glands. Typically the numbness improves within a few weeks. No treatment is needed. Please do stay in touch with your treating physician until this resolves.

How Do You Know if a Nerve Was Hit During the Miradry Procedure?

Answers (11)