Research

Along with improving the quality of life of Hansen’s patients, and educating the public about Hansen’s disease, Damien House is helping doctors on the forefront of leprosy research.

For the past three years, a volunteer US medical team sponsored by Project Perfect World Foundation has performed “nerve decompression” surgeries. This alleviates Hansen’s
patient’s pain and allows them to regain lost sensation
and strength in their limbs. Doctors have operated on more than 50 patients, and continue to make two annual visits to do more surgeries and to evaluate the return of nerve function in post-operative patients.

This important research has implications not only for Hansen’s patients around the world, but also for patients with neuropathy caused by other diseases such as diabetes.

Photo caption: Some nerve damage may be reversed. Currently studies are being conducted regarding reversing nerve damage through a simple surgery.