title: Peripheral nerve injuries: Long term follow-up results of rehabilitation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a common problem in the world resulting with severe disability. Etiological data is different in studies because of the study period, patient population, economic status, and workplace safety policies of the different countries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To define epidemiological and etiological data of our patients with peripheral nerve injury and to identify factors influencing efficacy of rehabilitation methods and recovery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were compared by means of electromyography and muscle strength changes. Influence of orthotics use, disease interval and type of physical therapy (electrical stimulation or EMG biofeedback) was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between groups. But we found weak correlation between EMG and motor changes. There was no difference in EMG and motor score changes in terms of orthotics use and type of physical therapy. When the patients were grouped according to EMG changes, we found significant difference by disease interval. Disease interval was longest in patients with no change in EMG. When the patients were grouped according to motor score changes, there was no significant difference by disease interval.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Etiology of the patients didn't affect long term results in peripheral nerve injury. The results of this study might help rehabilitation teams to guide their follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Emre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adiguzel
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Evren
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yaşar
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Division of Rheumatology, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Duygu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tecer
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ümüt
authors.initials: Ü
authors.lastname: Güzelküçük
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Taşkaynatan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serdar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kesikburun
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Özgül
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Peripheral nerve injuries; rehabilitation; treatment outcome