Limited, protected postsurgical motion does not affect the results of digital nerve repair

PURPOSE: Casting for 3 to 4 weeks has been the accepted protocol after primary repair of digital nerve lacerations. In contrast, combined digital nerve and flexor tendon repairs are rehabilitated with immediate postsurgical range of motion. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of primary nerve repair in isolated digital nerve lacerations immobilized after surgery with nerve repairs combined with flexor tendon repairs that are mobilized in a limited, protected fashion immediately after surgery. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively patients who had had surgical repair of isolated digital nerve lacerations or combined digital nerve and flexor tendon lacerations. Demographics recorded included age, hand dominance, injured digit, and time to mobilization. Follow-up data included range of motion at the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, distal interphalangeal, and wrist joints; static 2-point discrimination; and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing. Between-group comparisons were based on t-tests for continuous measures and chi-square tests for categoric measures. Paired t-tests were used for within-group comparisons. All comparisons were based on 2-tailed.05-level tests. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (16 digits) with isolated nerve repairs (group 1) and 12 patients (14 digits) with combined nerve and tendon repairs (group 2) were evaluated. The average age and duration at follow-up evaluation were similar in the 2 groups. The average time to mobilization, however, was 21 days in group 1 and 4 days in group 2. Injuries occurred equally in dominant and nondominant hands. Good range of motion returned in all digits. In addition there was no significant difference in final 2-point discrimination and Semmes-Weinstein testing between groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed a decrease in sensibility between the injured and uninjured digits in each of the 2 groups studied, as has been shown previously. The difference in sensibility between the 2 groups, however, was not statistically significant. These data challenge the long-held belief that digital nerve repairs should be completely immobilized after surgery.