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J Reconstr Microsurg 2003; 19(2): 107-110
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-37815
Copyright © 2003 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1 (212) 584-4662

Early Compensatory Sensory Re-Education

Hugo R. Daniele1 2 , Leda Aguado2
  • 1Department of Hand Surgery Spanish Hospital Bahía Blanca Argentina
  • 2Department of Hand Rehabilitation Handicapped Rehabilitation Institute Bahía Blanca Argentina
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Publication History

Publication Date:
10 March 2003 (online)

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ABSTRACT

After a neurorrhaphy, there will be a distal disconnection between the cortex and skin receptors, along with interruption of sensibility information. This report demonstrates the efficacy of a new sensory re-education program for achieving optimal sensation in a relatively short time. Between 1999 and 2001, in the authors' Hand Rehabilitation Department, 11 patients with previous neurorrhaphy were subjected to a program of early “compensatory sensory re-education.” Lesions were caused by clean cut. There were 13 primary digital nerve procedures, 12 at the distal palmar MP level, and one at the radial dorsal branch of the index (just after emerging from the common digital nerve). The technique of compensatory sensory re-education was based on a previous, but modified, sensory re-education method.

In order to evaluate the results in the compensatory sensory re-education series described, additional tests for evaluation of achieved functional sensibility were used. The authors' best results were achieved in a maximum of 8 weeks (4-8 weeks), much less time than with the original method (1-2 years). Using the British classification, it was possible to compare the achieved levels of sensibility and the time required for optimal results. The different methods of sensibility re-education may be similar, but with the authors' compensatory sensory re-education method, substantial time is saved.

KEYWORDS

Compensatory sensory re-education - digital nerve surgery - post neurorrhaphy - improved sensibility

REFERENCES

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