Long-term subjective and objective outcomes after digital nerve repair: a cohort study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Hand Surgery

Background:

• Digital nerve injuries are frequent, yet long-term functional outcomes remain under-documented.
• Understanding the long-term impact of digital nerve injuries is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate hand function 3-10 years post-digital nerve repair.
• To compare outcomes between injuries to border digits versus central fingers.

Main Methods:

• Matched-pairs study involving 86 patients undergoing digital nerve repair.
• Assessment using the Mini Sollerman test, grip strength, range of motion, and patient-reported measures.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in overall hand function between border digit and central finger injuries.
• Central finger injuries were associated with lower grip strength.
• High rates of tactile discrimination (87%) and touch perception (99%) were observed.
• Neuropathic pain was reported by 50% of patients, with numbness and cold sensitivity being the most bothersome symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Digital nerve repair yields favorable long-term hand function and sensory recovery.
• Central finger injuries may lead to reduced grip strength.
• Neuropathic pain, numbness, and cold sensitivity remain significant long-term challenges post-injury.