Early use of artificial sensibility to improve sensory recovery after repair of the median and ulnar nerve.
Artificial sensibility based on use of a "tactile glove" which substitutes for lack of sensory afferent inflow with acoustic feedback, was used early after repair of the median and ulnar nerves in a 21-year-old man. After six and 12 months the functional outcome exceeded what is expected in adults, and analysis with calculations for the minimal detectable change (MDC) in tactile gnosis showed a true change. This case highlights the timing of sensory re-education after nerve repair and also emphasises the importance of early restitution of afferent inflow from a denervated hand during rehabilitation.
Rosén
Birgitta
B
Department of Hand Surgery, University Hospital MAS, Malmö, Sweden. birgitta.rosen@hand.mas.lu.se
Lundborg
Göran
G
D000328:Adult; D005385:Fingers / Q000294:innervation; D006225:Hand / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D020423:Median Neuropathy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors; D014110:Touch