title: Comparison of digital nerve sensory recovery after repair using loupe or operating microscope magnification.
abstract: Our purpose was to determine whether there was a significant difference in sensory recovery after digital nerve repair using loupe magnification or an operating microscope. We identified patients aged 21-75 who had primary proper digital nerve repairs at least 24 months before our study. A total of 12 patients with 13 digital nerve injuries repaired with loupe magnification and nine patients with 12 digital nerve injuries repaired using the operating microscope, agreed to return for assessment by a therapist blinded to treatment. We found no significant difference in sensory recovery between the two groups as measured by static two-point discrimination, moving two-point discrimination, and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament. There were also no significant differences in average Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand or visual analogue pain scores.
  
  
  METHODS
  IV.
authors.affiliation: The Curtis National Hand Center, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: The Curtis National Hand Center, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.affiliation: The Curtis National Hand Center, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA anne.mattson@medstar.net.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Means
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005385:Fingers / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012677:Sensation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Digital nerve; loupe repair; operating microscope repair; sensory recovery