Summary:
We report successful restoration of quadriceps function following contralateral obturator to lateral branch of the femoral nerve transfer (with intervening autograft) in two patients with multilevel lumbosacral root avulsions, resulting in severe unilateral motor and sensory deficits. Three years postoperatively, patient 1 had regained Medical Research Council grade 3 knee extension with the ability to extend against 10 pounds of resistance. At 28 months postoperatively, patient 2 had regained Medical Research Council grade 2 knee extension. Treatment options for severe lumbosacral plexus injuries with multiple root avulsions are limited. This approach offers a new option for these devastating injuries.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.