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Updated: Dec 27, 2025
Author Spotlight: Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface (RPNI) Surgery in Postamputation Pain Management
Published on: March 15, 2024
Patient-Reported Outcomes following Surgical Treatment of Symptomatic Digital Neuromas
Jonathan Lans1, Daniel J Baker1, René M Castelein1
1From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hand and Upper Extremity Service, and the Division of Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery, and Peripheral Nerve Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; and the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht.
Background:
Many surgical techniques are used to treat symptomatic neuroma, but options are limited for digital neuromas because of a paucity of soft-tissue coverage and/or the absence of the terminal nerve end. The authors assessed factors that influence patient-reported outcomes after surgery for symptomatic digital neuroma.
Methods:
The authors retrospectively identified 29 patients with 33 symptomatic digital neuromas that were treated surgically. Patients completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Upper Extremity and Pain Interference scales, a numeric rating scale for pain, and the PROMIS Depression scale at a median follow-up of 7.6 years postoperatively (range, 3.2 to 16.8 years). Surgical treatment for neuroma included excision with nerve repair/reconstruction (n =13; 39 percent), neuroma excision alone (n =10; 30 percent), and excision and implantation (n =10; 30 percent). Multivariable linear regression was performed to identify the factors that independently influenced patient-reported outcomes.
Results:
The mean postoperative PROMIS Upper Extremity score was 45.2 ± 11.2, the mean Pain Interference score was 54.3 ± 10.7, and the mean numeric rating scale pain score was 3 (interquartile range, 1 to 5). Compared with other treatment techniques, neuroma excision with nerve repair/reconstruction was associated with lower numeric rating scale pain scores; lower Pain Interference scores, corresponding to less daily impact of pain; and higher Upper Extremity scores, reflecting better upper extremity function. Older age and higher Depression scores were associated with lower Upper Extremity scores and higher Pain Interference scores. Smoking was associated with higher Pain Interference and numeric rating scale pain scores.
Conclusions:
Neuroma excision followed by nerve repair/reconstruction resulted in better outcomes compared with neuroma excision alone with or without implantation. Patient age and psychosocial factors influenced patient-reported outcomes.
Clinical Question/Level Of Evidence:
Risk, III.
