Clinical Assessment of Functional Recovery Following Nerve Transfer for Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injuries

Abstract

Surgical reconstruction and postoperative rehabilitation are both important for restoring function in patients with traumatic brachial plexus injuries (BPIs). The current study aimed to understand variations in recovery progression among patients with different injury levels after receiving the nerve transfer methods. A total of 26 patients with BPIs participated in a rehabilitation training program over 6 months after nerve reconstruction. The differences between the first and second evaluations and between C5–C6 and C5–C7 BPIs were compared. Results showed significant improvements in elbow flexion range (p = 0.001), British Medical Research Council’s score of shoulder flexion (p = 0.046), shoulder abduction (p = 0.013), shoulder external rotation (p = 0.020), quantitative muscle strength, and grip strength at the second evaluation for both groups. C5–C6 BPIs patients showed a larger shoulder flexion range (p = 0.022) and greater strength of the shoulder rotator (p = 0.004), elbow flexor (p = 0.028), elbow extensor (p = 0.041), wrist extensor (p = 0.001), and grip force (p = 0.045) than C5–C7 BPIs patients at the second evaluation. Our results indicated different improvements among patients according to injury levels, with quantitative values assisting in establishing goals for interventions.