A randomized controlled trial found that both total ankle replacement and ankle fusion improve quality of life and have similar clinical scores in patients with end-stage ankle osteoarthritis. However, TAR is associated with greater wound-healing complications and nerve injuries, while AF is linked to more blood clots and nonunion of t...
A research team at MedUni Vienna's Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery has discovered a previously unknown ability of the autonomic nervous system to spontaneously restore muscle function following a nerve injury. This finding may form the basis for improving interventions to treat nerve lesions.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine developed a minimally invasive nanochip device that can reprogram tissue function by delivering specific genes. The technology has shown promise as a treatment for traumatic muscle loss, with improved muscle function observed in rats following volumetric muscle loss.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that brain stimulation combined with a nose spray containing nanoparticles can improve recovery after ischemic stroke. The treatment increased cognitive and motor functions, and weighed more quickly than those treated with TMS alone.
Dr. Nathan Hogaboom has won the prestigious Ernest Bors, MD Award for Scientific Development for his pioneering work on regenerative rehabilitation research in spinal cord injury. His award-winning study applied novel principles to treat debilitating shoulder pain in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.
Scientists have developed a soft, bioresorbable device that cools peripheral nerves to reduce pain. The device was tested in rat models and found to be effective, reversible, and non-addictive, with potential applications for treating neuropathic pain after surgery.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a roadmap detailing how stem cells become sensory interneurons, which enable sensations like touch and pain. The study identifies protocols for producing all types of sensory interneurons in the laboratory, paving the way for cell therapies to restore sensation in people with spinal cord injuries.
Researchers developed a technology that uses surviving neurons to restore connection between brain and arm via specific stimulation pulses to the spinal cord. This allowed macaque monkeys with partial arm paralysis to improve precision, force, and range of movement in their arms.
Researchers at Emory University treated eight patients with chronic nerve pain using a technique called interventional cryoneurolysis, which uses imaging guidance to freeze damaged nerves and promote regeneration. The study found significant improvements in pain symptoms, with six patients experiencing dramatic reductions in pain scores.
Researchers discovered a link between traumatic brain injuries and changes in the gut microbiome, suggesting a potential diagnostic tool for concussions. The study found two bacterial species that dropped significantly after concussions, indicating a correlation with traumatic brain injury-linked proteins in the blood.
Researchers engineered injectable microtissue containing motor and sensory neurons to provide a source of axons to muscles, preventing degeneration and loss of function while nerves regrow. The technology shows promise to improve recovery of sensory and motor function after peripheral nerve injuries.
Scientists have created a new imaging method that can detect microscopic soft tissue damage in animal spines, which may lead to improved treatments for lower back pain. The technique uses fluorescent molecules to target denatured collagen and produce precise 3D maps of spinal damage.
Researchers at Duke University and UC Irvine identify Kenpaullone, a cancer drug, as an effective analgesic for chronic and challenging-to-treat pain. The compound enhances Kcc2 gene expression, which resets maladaptive genetic switches in neurons, leading to pain signal silencing.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers uses human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells to guide nerve growth and regeneration, achieving similar results as traditional autograft procedures. The approach has potential for treating larger nerve gaps, including those resulting from oral cancer surgery.
Researchers identified a pattern that links the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) proteins with a reduction of serotonin, which may help predict who will develop late-life depression. The study found that individuals expressing this pattern had more severe depressive symptoms.
A new, inexpensive biopolymer dressing is being developed to heal chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers. The dressing addresses the high cost of existing treatments and has shown promising results in pilot trials with 13 patients.
A recent study found that patients with unilateral nerve injuries often experience sensory abnormalities on the opposite side of their body, regardless of whether they have pain or not. This phenomenon, known as contralateral sensory abnormalities, suggests a common underlying mechanism for both painful and painless neuropathies.
Researchers found that a protein called CXCL12 attracts growing nerve fibers and keeps them entrapped at the injury site. This prevents regeneration in the central nervous system. Eliminating the receptor for CXCL12 improved axonal regeneration, offering a potential starting point for new drugs.
Researchers found that virtual reality can reduce types of pain typically seen in patients with nerve injuries, including prickling and touch-related pain. The study also showed that VR can boost the body's natural pain inhibiting process by enhancing conditioned pain modulation.
This issue of CVIA features important papers on COVID-19's impact on cardiology, including a meta-analysis of pacemaker complications and risk factors for pressure injuries during aortic surgery. Research also explores the relationship between cardiac injury and inflammatory biomarkers in severe COVID-19 patients.
A 66-year-old woman experienced a pseudoaneurysm and median nerve injury after radial artery puncture, leading to severe pain and swelling in the affected arm. The authors discuss causes and treatment measures for this complication of radial artery puncture.
A team of researchers from Australia, India, and Bangladesh have developed a neuron-growing ink that uses the body's own electrical signals to guide the growth of nerve cells. The bioconductive ink can be printed in lines to direct where neurons grow, cracking a major challenge in nerve engineering.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the activation of mTORC1 must be tightly balanced to maintain the neuromuscular junction after nerve injury. This balance is crucial for proper muscle response and preventing age-related muscle atrophy.
Researchers find that a peripheral nerve injury can trigger the onset and spread of ALS in an animal model, with inflammation spreading from the site of injury. The study uses genetically-engineered rats with ALS-like symptoms to demonstrate the link between nerve injury and disease progression.
Researchers have discovered that removing arginase 2 enzyme reduces neuron death and degeneration of nerve fibers in the retina after optic nerve injury. The study found that deleting this enzyme decreases inflammation and promotes recovery, suggesting it as a potential treatment target.
A new app called Swift Skin and Wound measures wounds accurately, providing a way to clearly document and quantify wound size. The app is being used by clinicians and healthcare professionals at the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal to improve clinical management and patient outcomes for diabetic patients.
A new patient questionnaire developed by Hospital for Special Surgery measures the physical and emotional impact of brachial plexus injury, assessing patients' expectations and treatment outcomes. The survey has the potential to improve patient care by aligning surgical alternatives with patient needs and expectations.
Peripheral nerve cells change their identity and distribute factors that support wound closure, reconstitution of the dermis, and chronic wound healing. Researchers found reprogrammed nerve cells in human skin wounds, which may lead to an effective treatment for chronic wounds.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience reveals that neutrophils, a type of immune cell, play a significant role in clearing debris from damaged nerves. Without this cellular clearance mechanism, nerves cannot properly regenerate after injury.
Researchers found an anti-sense RNA that regulates myelin genes and promotes demyelination after nerve injury. This discovery could lead to a new therapy by manipulating AS-RNA expression to restore complete nerve function.
Researchers discover progranulin's novel function as a chaperone for lysosomal protease cathepsin D, contributing to neuronal dysfunction in FTD. Progranulin knockout mice show impaired axonal regeneration after nerve injury, highlighting its importance in neurotrophic support.
Researchers have discovered that Merlin plays a vital role in nerve repair after injury, opening up new potential therapies for trauma and diabetes-related damage. The study found that deficient Merlin levels contribute to poor nerve repair, but also identified a crucial pathway for repair using Schwann cells.
Researchers found that surgical reconstruction of the phrenic nerve can lead to significant improvement in breathing and an increase in regular physical activities. Eighty-nine percent of patients reported overall improvement in breathing function.
A new study reveals that the traditional papal blessing hand gesture was likely caused by an ulnar nerve injury to St. Peter, the first pope, rather than a median nerve injury as previously thought.
Researchers will use MRI machines to test injured nerves and develop a diagnostic tool to distinguish between brain damage and nerve trauma. The goal is to provide more effective treatment options for soldiers suffering from visual deficits caused by IED injuries.
Researchers developed 3D printed guides to help damaged nerves repair naturally by guiding the nerve ends towards each other. Successful repairs were demonstrated in a mouse model, showing promise for treating nerve injuries with reduced surgery and improved results.
A proactive labor induction practice from 37 weeks gestation improved perinatal outcomes in Denmark, reducing neonatal deaths and asphyxia risk by almost half. The study found decreases in macrosomia and peripheral nerve injury but an increase in shoulder dystocia.
A literature review suggests that prompt and appropriate treatment of dislocated shoulders can minimize risk and effects of related bone, muscle, and nerve injuries. The study found that up to 96 percent of dislocations are traumatic, occurring most often during contact sports or falls onto an outstretched hand.
Researchers found that puerarin, a natural compound, activates growth-associated protein 43 in the spinal cord after sciatic nerve injury, contributing to neural regeneration. The study published in Neural Regeneration Research suggests a potential therapeutic role for puerarin in peripheral nerve injuries.
A study of 34 patients with persistent clinical symptoms and neurologic signs of impaired nerve function found that ultrasonography had a concordance rate of 98% with surgical results. The majority of patients (86%) showed good recovery after neurolysis, anastomosis, or transplantation.
The study found that age, gender, repair time, repair materials, and the injured nerve are independent predictors of good prognosis. Functional recovery of peripheral nerve injuries is multifaceted and affected by different factors in various patients.
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that electroacupuncture can significantly attenuate chronic neuropathic pain in rats with brachial plexus injuries. The treatment was shown to increase β-endorphin expression, which may contribute to its analgesic effects.
Research finds that peripheral nerve injury increases the expression of α1-adrenoceptors on pain-signalling nerve fibers. This up-regulation may intensify pain by boosting neural excitability. Blocking alpha-1 adrenoceptors could be a useful therapeutic strategy for patients with chronic pain after peripheral nerve injury.
Researchers have developed a method to isolate stem cells from skeletal muscle that can regenerate nerves after severe damage. These cells, called Sk-MSCs, have been shown to facilitate the growth of responsible nerve and vascular cells, making them a potential tool for treating large resection surgery.
A UK study compared a new nerve repair technique, called a nerve allograft, to existing methods. The study found that the new technique produced more consistent results and better outcomes, while avoiding donor site morbidity.
Researchers identified differential gene expression in proximal and distal nerve segments of rats with sciatic nerve injury, revealing changes in cell differentiation, cytokinesis, and immune response. The study provides insights into Wallerian degeneration and offers a platform for studying nerve injury and repair.
After sciatic nerve injury, microRNA-214 targets srGAP3 in rat DRG primary neurons. This relationship affects axon guidance and neural regeneration.
Researchers established a standardized model of radial nerve injury in rhesus monkeys to evaluate peripheral nerve repair. The study found that bone marrow stem cell-laden allografts achieved comparable nerve regeneration to autografts, suggesting potential for improved treatments.
Researchers at the University of Calgary have found a way to promote growth in damaged nerve cells by inactivating protein Rb, which normally acts as a brake on nerve growth. This discovery has the potential to treat conditions such as peripheral nerve disorders, including diabetic neuropathy and multiple sclerosis.
Research found that nestin+ neurons project to the olfactory bulb and show compensatory function in the medial septum-diagonal band of Broca. Nestin+ cholinergic neurons may have stronger tolerance to injury than non-cholinergic neurons.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have made a groundbreaking discovery using human muscle-derived stem cells to repair damaged nerves. The study found that these stem cells could differentiate into neurons and glial support cells, leading to full regeneration of the sciatic nerve in animal models.
A study found that pre-operative EMG evaluation of donor nerves improves nerve transfer surgery outcomes for patients with brachial plexus injuries. The use of normal donor nerves resulted in greater post-operative improvement in muscle strength and function compared to less robust donor nerves.
Researchers have found that poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) tubes exhibit superior viscoelasticity to autologous nerve grafts in repairing damaged sciatic nerves. This suggests PLGA could be a more effective biomaterial for such repairs.
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide expression increased significantly in dorsal root ganglia after sciatic nerve injury, peaking at 7 days post-injury. This increase suggests these neuropeptides may serve as an index for evaluating early peripheral nerve injury.
A recent study found that ursolic acid induces neural regeneration and repair after sciatic nerve injury in mouse models. The compound promoted the regeneration of injured nerve myelin sheaths and reconstructed muscular functions.
A retrospective clinical controlled study found that dissecting the recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery significantly reduces the risk of nerve injury. The study analyzed data from 5,344 patients and showed a lower incidence of nerve injury in those undergoing nerve dissection.
A study by Hospital for Special Surgery found that long nerve grafts comparable to modern nerve transfers restored function in patients with axillary nerve injuries. The outcomes were measured by patient recovery and electromyography tests.
Researchers discovered that influencing macrophage cells after injury can increase nerve regeneration rates by up to 20 times. The technique uses interleukin-4 cytokine to convert macrophages into a 'pro-healing' phenotype, promoting natural repair mechanisms.
A recent JAAOS study highlights the success of nerve transfer surgery, particularly when patients are referred early. Nerve transfer surgeries can restore function to severely damaged nerves, and the study aims to raise awareness among healthcare providers about this treatment option.
Scientists at Drexel University have found that a key protein involved in nerve cell repair is produced locally in the axons, triggering a molecular distress signal. This discovery may help better understand and control the repair process to speed up recovery from nerve injuries.