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
