Exploring Health and Financial Literacy in Patients With Peripheral Nerve Injury: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Patients Treated Surgically.

Purpose: Health literacy influences patient outcomes and recovery in musculoskeletal conditions. Although financial distress is common after orthopedic injuries, the role of financial literacy in these patients is unknown. We aimed to evaluate health and financial literacy in patients recovering from peripheral nerve injuries (PNI).

Accuracy of the Automated Range of Motion Observer and Reporter Software for Fully Automated Joint Measurement From Patient Videos.

Introduction: Accurate assessment of joint range of motion (ROM) is essential for diagnosing and managing upper extremity injuries. Universal goniometers are the most used tools for measuring ROM, but they require skilled observers and are limited by interobserver variability. An automated system for measuring joint range of motion from patient videos could facilitate standardized reporting of outcomes after reconstructive surgery.

Serum Biomarkers for Traumatic Peripheral Nerve Injury: A Systematic Review.

Diagnosing the severity of a peripheral nerve injury or compression, and assessing its potential for recovery, remain clinical challenges. An objective and easily quantifiable serum-based biomarker that reflects axonal health would be a valuable diagnostic adjunct in the treatment of patients with peripheral nerve pathology. We therefore performed a review of the published literature using search strategies created for serum biomarkers and traumatic peripheral nerve injuries with both standardized index terms (i.

Accuracy and Reliability of Video-Based Range-of-Motion Assessments in Postreconstruction Brachial Plexus Patients.

Purpose: Following surgical reconstructions considered successful, many patients with brachial plexus injuries (BPI) have limited limb motion. In addition to manual muscle testing, clinicians typically measure active range of motion (AROM). AROM measurement relies on in-person examination and manual goniometers or visual estimation, both of which are subject to interobserver variability.

Correlation of Ultrasound and Electrodiagnostic Evaluation in Ballistic Peripheral Nerve Injuries.

Background: Evaluation and management of ballistic peripheral nerve injuries remain controversial, and recent series have suggested higher rates of nerve discontinuity than previously appreciated. Ultrasound (US) may aid clinicians in the management of ballistic injuries. The goal of this study was to compare US findings to electrodiagnostic and intraoperative findings to assess its accuracy in ballistic injuries.

A Photovoice Study on Life After Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury: "There Is Somebody Out There Who Knows What You're Going Through".

Background: Brachial plexus injury (BPI) leads to a variety of life-altering changes, both physically and mentally. While tremendous effort has been dedicated to improving patients' upper-extremity function through surgical and rehabilitation advances, patients' life experiences after BPI are largely understudied and poorly understood. Our study aims were to qualitatively assess the patient experience after BPI through the use of a photojournalism method known as photovoice, a community-based participatory research methodology centered on participant photograph-taking, and to trial the use of photovoice as a novel qualitative method within the field of orthopaedics.

Superficial Peroneal Nerve Motor Branch Transfer to the Deep Peroneal Nerve: Cadaveric Study and Case Report.

Background: Foot drop carries substantial morbidity and is often due to deep peroneal (DPN) or common peroneal nerve (CPN) injury. Treatment options are limited. This study explored a new surgical approach by transferring a superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) branch to DPN.

Imaging Peripheral Nerves In Vivo with CT Neurogram Using Novel 2,4,6-Tri-Iodinated Lidocaine Contrast Agent.

Peripheral nerve injuries are a significant concern in surgical procedures, often leading to chronic pain and functional impairment. Despite advancements in imaging, preoperative and intraoperative visualization of peripheral nerves remains a challenge. This study introduces and evaluates a novel tri-iodinated lidocaine-based contrast agent for computed tomography neurography, aiming to enhance the intraoperative visibility of peripheral nerves in vivo.

What do patients with traumatic brachial plexus injuries need for social and emotional support? A qualitative analysis.

Background: Patients with adult traumatic brachial plexus injury (BPI) face numerous challenges, both directly and indirectly related to their physical disability, during their adjustment to life after injury. Our goal was to identify domains of care in which a patient navigator could improve delivery of care for BPI patients as they await recovery of upper extremity function.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 28 brachial plexus patients after reconstruction.

Creating a Reachable Workspace Model With 3D Motion Capture to Track Adult Brachial Plexus Injury Recovery: A Representative Case Report.

We describe the treatment of a patient recovering after reconstruction surgery for brachial plexus injury (BPI), which causes damage to the nerves of the arm. We used 3D motion capture to create a 3D "map" of the patient's reachable workspace-that is, how far the patient could reach within his own environment as a measure of how well his arm functioned-and tracked changes over a 2-year period. We also describe the patient's self-reported outcomes and compare them to the workspace measurement.

The Current State of Outcome Measurements After Peripheral Nerve Injury: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: The manner in which outcomes are reported after peripheral nerve injury (PNI) varies tremendously and often centers on surgeon-manual muscle testing. The purpose of our systematic review was to quantify the use of outcome measures after PNI in the contemporary literature (published in 2008 and beyond) and to evaluate which domains of recovery are assessed most frequently.

Methods: With the assistance of a medical librarian, we performed a systematic review of the literature published in or after 2008 (to represent the last 15 years) for patients with upper-extremity PNI.

A Rare Cause of Lateral Antebrachial Cutaneous Neuropathy Secondary to Internal Fixation of a Supracondylar Humeral Fracture: A Case Report.

Case: We discuss a patient with a 6-month history of episodic elbow and forearm pain 6 years after supracondylar humeral fracture fixed with Steinmann pins at the age of 10 years and 5-year follow-up data at the age of 21 years. Electrodiagnostic studies exhibited no response from the lateral antebrachial cutaneous (LABC) nerve, and anesthetic injection demonstrated relief. Surgical intervention provided immediate relief of symptoms without recurrence for 5 years postsurgery.

Rapid Manufacturing, Regulatory Approval, and Utilization of Patient-specific 3D-Printed Titanium Implants for Complex Multistage Spinal Surgeries.

Study designTechnical note and case series.Objectives3D-printed implants (3DPI) for spinal surgery are a relatively recent development. We report on our experience with the rapid creation and regulatory approval of patient-specific 3DPI for use in complex spinal reconstruction, including a novel expedited turnaround time for implant creation.

Inhibition of SARM1 Reduces Neuropathic Pain in a Spared Nerve Injury Rodent Model.

Introduction/aims: The function of the sterile alpha and toll/interleukin receptor motif-containing protein 1 (SARM1) in neuropathic pain development has not yet been established. This protein has a central role in regulating axon degeneration and its depletion delays this process. This study aims to demonstrate the effects of SARM1 deletion on the development of neuropathic pain.

SARM1 Inhibition Maintains Axonal Integrity After Rat Sciatic Nerve Transection and Repair.

Purpose: Sterile alpha and TlR motif containing-1 (SARM1) protein has been demonstrated to play a critical role in the initiation of Wallerian degeneration after nerve injury. The goal of this study was to assess whether blockade of SARM1 activity inhibits Wallerian degeneration following nerve transection, potentially promoting more rapid recovery of axonal function.

Methods: An adeno-associated virus plasmid encoded with a dominant-negative SARM1 protein fused with green fluorescent protein to impair SARM1 function, was injected into 24 juvenile rats to create a SARM1 dominant-negative (SARM1-DN) phenotype.

Advances in Imaging of Traumatic Nerve Injuries.

Traumatic peripheral nerve injuries represent a spectrum of conditions and remain challenging to diagnose and prognosticate. High-resolution ultrasonography and magnetic resonance neurography have emerged as useful diagnostic modalities in the evaluation of traumatic peripheral nerve and brachial plexus injuries. Ultrasonography is noninvasive, is able to rapidly interrogate large areas and multiple nerves, allows for a dynamic assessment of nerves and their surrounding anatomy, and is cost-effective.

Insights Into the Epidemiology of Peripheral Nerve Injuries in the United States: Systematic Review.

Background: Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) range from mild neurapraxia to severe transection, leading to significant morbidity. Despite their impact, the societal implications of PNI in the United States are not well understood. This study aims to systematically review the literature on PNI epidemiology in the United States.

Design and In Vivo Testing of an Anatomic 3D-Printed Peripheral Nerve Conduit in a Rat Sciatic Nerve Model.

Three-dimensional (3D) printer technology has seen a surge in use in medicine, particularly in orthopedics. A recent area of research is its use in peripheral nerve repair, which often requires a graft or conduit to bridge segmental defects. Currently, nerve gaps are bridged using autografts, allografts, or synthetic conduits.

Ultrasound as a Complementary Tool to Electrodiagnostics in the Evaluation of Compressive Neuropathy of the Common Fibular Nerve.

Background: Compressive neuropathy of the common fibular nerve (CFN) is increasingly recognized as an etiology for foot drop and falls. Electrodiagnostic (EDX) studies are widely used to evaluate this condition, but such tests are invasive and costly. As with carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes, there may be patients with characteristic symptoms of CFN compressive neuropathy but normal EDX studies in which ultrasound may aid in decision-making.

Phantom Limb Pain Management.

With an estimated 2 million major limb amputees and projections reaching 3.6 million by 2050, the increasing prevalence of limb loss in the United States underscores the importance of addressing complications associated with limb loss. Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a common and often chronic condition affecting 40% to 80% of amputees.