title: The use of brief post-surgical low frequency electrical stimulation to enhance nerve regeneration in clinical practice.
abstract: Despite efforts to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration, there has been little progress in improving clinical outcomes. Recently, a method of brief post-surgical low frequency electrical stimulation of surgically repaired nerves has been developed. It was shown to accelerate axon outgrowth across the repair site and it hastened target reinnervation. In this brief review, we describe the mechanistic insights and functional impacts of the post-surgical electrical stimulation that have been gained through animal studies. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, cyclic AMP and regeneration-associated genes play a vital role in expediting the outgrowth of axons across the injury site. The method of stimulation has also been shown to be effective in patients with severe compressive neuropathy as well as those with digital nerve laceration. Its clinical feasibility and positive impact open the door of further clinical translation in other peripheral nerve injuries.
authors: Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.|Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors: K M
authors: KM
authors: Chan
authors: Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors: M W T
authors: MW
authors: Curran
authors: Plastic Surgery, Toronto Sick Children Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000628:therapy