Digital neurorrhaphy after the age of 60 years.
Fifteen patients over the age of 60 years (average age: 65 years), with 19 digital nerve lacerations, were evaluated more than 1 year after injury. Two-point discrimination, Semmes-Weinstein evaluation, and subjective return of sensibility were examined by a certified hand therapist before and after local anesthetic block of the uninjured digital nerve. Sixty-three percent of the patients regained moving two-point discrimination less than 15 mm; 100 percent regained Semmes-Weinstein values of less than 4.56; and 84 percent of the patients subjectively noted greater than half of their normal sensation. Crossover innervation was a factor in four of 14 repairs. Based on the data, useful sensation can be regained by repairing a digital nerve in the majority of patients older than 60 years of age.
Segalman
K A
KA
Raymond M. Curtis National Hand Center, Union Memorial Hospital, Lutherville, MD 21093, USA.
Cook
P A
PA
Wang
B H
BH
Theisen
L
L
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005385:Fingers / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block; D012677:Sensation