Healthcare Provider Factors Affecting Access to Nerve Transfer Surgery to Improve Upper Extremity Function in Individuals with Cervical Spinal Cord Injury.

Objective: Nerve and tendon transfer surgery has restored upper extremity (UE) function in cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) but is not universally accessible to all eligible individuals. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to understand the healthcare provider factors that are associated with access to nerve transfer surgery for people with SCI.

Design: Semi-structured interviews explored healthcare provider knowledge and practices regarding nerve and tendon transfer surgery to improve UE function in cervical SCI.

An Examination of Utilization Rates Over Time of Nerve and Tendon Transfers in Canada to Improve Upper Limb Function in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury.

Upper limb function loss in cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) contributes to substantial disability, and negatively impacts quality of life. Nerve transfer and tendon transfer surgery can provide improved upper limb function. This study assessed the utilization of nerve and tendon transfer surgery for individuals with tetraplegia in Canada.