Nerve Regeneration: Understanding Biology and Its Influence on Return of Function After Nerve Transfers

Abstract

Poor functional outcomes are frequent after peripheral nerve injuries despite the regenerative support of Schwann cells. Motoneurons and, to a lesser extent, sensory neurons survive the injuries but outgrowth of axons across the injury site is slow. The neuronal regenerative capacity and the support of regenerating axons by the chronically denervated Schwann cells progressively declines with time and distance of the injury from the denervated targets. Strategies, including brief low-frequency electrical stimulation that accelerates target reinnervation and functional recovery, and the insertion of cross-bridges between a donor nerve and a recipient denervated nerve stump, are effective in promoting functional outcomes after complete and incomplete injuries.

Keywords: Axotomy; Chronic Schwann cell denervation; Motor nerve sprouting; Peripheral nerve injury; Peripheral nerve regeneration; Perisynaptic Schwann cells; Skeletal muscle reinnervation.