title: Nerve-stretching in the 19th century.
abstract: Operative nerve-stretching was first described in 1872 to relieve incurable pain from sciatica and tabes dorsalis. It became popular for 20 years and numerous articles were published on the subject. It had many complications but relief was only transient and, consequently, it fell into disuse. This paper analyses the literature, contemporary views on the benefits of nerve stretching and its influence on more recent neurological practice.
authors.forename: John Russell
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.affiliation: National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Herts, UK.
authors.forename: Marie-France
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Weiner
mesh_terms: D005060:Europe; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D000072141:Neurologists / Q000266:history*; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods; D009656:North America; D059408:Pain Management / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods; D012585:Sciatica / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy; D013606:Tabes Dorsalis / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Nerve-stretching; sciatica; tabes dorsalis