FACTORS AFFECTING RECOVERY OF SENSORY FUNCTION AFTER NERVE LESIONS

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Recovery of cutaneous sensation to nociceptive stimuli was studied after interruption of various peripheral nerves in the rabbit. The pattern of recovery is the same after lesions of all nerves and consists of centrifugal advance and concentric shrinkage. This process is divided in 3 stages: recovery in zones of overlap by the progressive resumption of function by fibres of adjacent nerves; extension of these fibres into the denervated area; and regeneration of the interrupted nerve. Recovery in zones of overlap occurs generally 2-4 wks. after interruption of the nerve. Crushing the nerve delays recovery by 2 wks. and is followed by incomplete functional recovery. The rate of progress of functional regeneration is 3 35 mm/day with a latent period of 22 days after crushing and 2 46 mm/day with a latent period of 40 days after suturing. The rate of advance of the margin of algesia after interruption of the peroneal nerve is 1 98 [plus or minus] 0 09 mm/day when the nerve has been crushed and 1 57 [plus or minus] 0 15 mm/day when it has been cut and sutured.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: