Results of primary nerve repair in the upper extremity

Abstract

The results of primary repair of peripheral nerve injury in the upper extremity are reported for 143 nerves in 120 patients, with a mean follow-up of 24 months. Normal values for static and moving two-point discrimination were established and related to the person's age. Sensory reeducation was employed routinely in the postoperative rehabilitation program. Moving two-point discrimination recovered to a better level in 61%, the same level in 38%, and a worse level in 1% than static two-point discrimination after nerve repair. Results for digital, median, ulnar, and radial nerve repairs are reported.