Functional Outcome of Brachial Plexus Reconstruction After Trauma

Abstract

Statistically validated tools can be used to evaluate the quality of life, upper extremity function, and pain after brachial plexus repairs. Root avulsion injuries and delayed surgical repair correlated negatively with functional outcomes.

Biomedical and Psychosocial Factors Associated with Disability After Peripheral Nerve Injury

“…In a previous retrospective study of patients with peripheral nerve injury, we found high DASH scores, which were associated with pain, older age, and brachial plexus injury 15 . Other studies have shown that patients with a brachial plexus injury have high levels of disability 13,58 . The results of the present study confirm previous reports that patients with upper-extremity peripheral nerve injury experience high levels of disability and that a significant predictor of higher disability is brachial plexus injury.…”

“…Authors of previous studies of outcomes following peripheral nerve injury have emphasized measures of motor and sensory recovery, data that reflect nerve regeneration and reinnervation of the motor fibers and/or sensory end organs but not the impact on the patient. More recently, investigators have recognized the importance of patient selfreport questionnaires, disability, and health-related quality of life [13][14][15]19,52 . Disability is defined as a limitation in the ability to perform tasks, activities of daily living, or other activities [53][54][55][56] .…”

“…The DASH was designed to assess disability experienced by patients with upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders [20][21][22][23] . Few investigators have reported disability as measured with the DASH in a study of patients with peripheral nerve injury 13,15,57 . In a previous retrospective study of patients with peripheral nerve injury, we found high DASH scores, which were associated with pain, older age, and brachial plexus injury 15 .…”

“…Although few investigators have evaluated disability after peripheral nerve injury, the evidence points to high levels of disability after such injuries [13][14][15] . Disability following peripheral nerve injury may be related to biomedical factors, including motor or sensory dysfunction and pain.…”

Biomedical and Psychosocial Factors Associated with Disability after Peripheral Nerve Injury

“…Authors of previous studies of outcomes following peripheral nerve injury have emphasized measures of motor and sensory recovery, data that reflect nerve regeneration and reinnervation of the motor fibers and/or sensory end organs but not the impact on the patient. More recently, investigators have recognized the importance of patient selfreport questionnaires, disability, and health-related quality of life [13][14][15]19,52 .…”