From the Guidelines
Recovery Time for Digital Nerve Repair
The recovery time for digital nerve repair is typically 3-6 months for sensory return, but can take up to 12-18 months for full recovery 1.
- During this time, it's essential to protect the affected area from further injury and avoid putting excessive pressure on it.
- Medications like gabapentin (300-600 mg, 3 times a day) or pregabalin (75-150 mg, 2 times a day) may be prescribed to manage nerve pain, but this should be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional 1.
- Physical therapy and occupational therapy can help improve finger mobility and sensation, and should be started as soon as possible after surgery.
- Regular follow-up with a healthcare provider is crucial to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed, and to address any complications that may arise during the recovery process.
- The recovery process can be influenced by various factors, including the severity of the injury, the accuracy of the repair, and the overall health of the patient, and therefore, a personalized treatment plan should be developed for each patient 1.
From the Research
Recovery Time for Digital Nerve Repair
The recovery time for digital nerve repair can vary depending on several factors, including the type of injury, the repair method, and the individual's overall health.
- The study 2 found that at 12 months after reconstruction, the average static 2-point discrimination (s2PD) for processed allograft was 5 ± 1 mm, while for hollow conduits it was 8 ± 5 mm.
- Another study 3 reported that the mean sensory recovery, assessed with BMRC sensory grading, was 0.03 points higher in the device group than in the standard repair group at 24 months, but the evidence is very uncertain.
- A systematic review 4 found that early sensory re-education with mirror visual feedback and the combinational use of classic sensory re-education and topical temporary anesthetic seemed to have long- and short-term effects on improving sensibility and reducing disabilities of the hand.
Factors Affecting Recovery Time
Several factors can affect the recovery time for digital nerve repair, including:
- The length of the nerve gap prior to repair, with a mean length of 12 ± 4 mm reported in one study 2
- The type of nerve injury, with laceration/sharp transection being the most common type of injury 2
- The repair method, with processed nerve allografts resulting in significantly improved and more consistent functional sensory outcomes compared to hollow conduits in one study 2
- The use of sensory re-education, which can improve sensibility and reduce disabilities of the hand 4
Outcome Measures
Several outcome measures can be used to assess the recovery of digital nerve repair, including:
- Static 2-point discrimination (s2PD) testing, which measures the ability to discern two points of contact on the skin 2
- Moving 2-point discrimination, which measures the ability to discern two points of contact on the skin while the points are moving 2
- BMRC sensory grading, which assesses the level of sensory recovery 3
- Integrated functional outcome scores, such as the Rosén Model Instrument (RMI), which assesses the overall functional outcome of the hand 3