Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Changes in the structural properties of peripheral nerves after transection

E B Toby1, B M Meyer, J Schwappach

  • 1Section of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160-7387, USA.

The Journal of Hand Surgery
|November 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Peripheral nerve repair is best done immediately after injury. Delayed repair of the sciatic nerve (in rats) leads to increased stiffness and tension at the repair site, potentially hindering recovery.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Letters.

The Physician and sportsmedicine·2016
Same author

Changes in the concentration and relative abundance of alkanes and PAHs from the Deepwater Horizon oiling of coastal marshes.

Marine pollution bulletin·2014
Same author

Free filet leg flap.

Clinical orthopaedics and related research·2001
Same author

Cutaneous metal sensitivity in patients with orthopaedic injuries.

Journal of orthopaedic trauma·2001
Same author

Osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap: its use without significant donor site morbidity.

Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery·2000
Same author

Preoperative evaluation of the radial forearm free flap patient with the objective Allen's test.

Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery·2000

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Neuroscience
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Peripheral nerve injuries are common and can lead to significant disability.
  • Delayed surgical repair of transected nerves is sometimes necessary, but its impact on nerve biomechanics is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the changes in structural and mechanical properties of the distal nerve stump following transection.
  • To determine the optimal timing for peripheral nerve repair based on nerve biomechanics.

Main Methods:

  • Sciatic nerve transection was performed in 50 Sprague-Dawley rats.
  • Structural properties (stiffness, toughness, failure load) of the distal nerve stump were measured weekly for 5 weeks post-transection.
  • Measurements were compared to contralateral intact nerves.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Distal nerve stumps exhibited progressive increases in stiffness, toughness, and failure load over 5 weeks.
  • Linear elastic stiffness peaked at 1-2 weeks (15% stiffer than controls).
  • Toughness and failure load also significantly increased, indicating altered mechanical properties.

Conclusions:

  • Significant changes in peripheral nerve structural properties occur within 1 week of injury.
  • Increased stiffness and tension at the repair site following delayed neurorraphy can complicate healing.
  • Immediate end-to-end nerve repair is recommended to minimize adverse biomechanical changes and optimize functional recovery.