Restoring Hand Function Utilizing Nerve Transfers in Persons With Cervical Spinal Cord Injuries

Surgery

Arm/hand function

Online since 3 November 2021, updated 913 days ago

About this trial

This trial is recruiting individuals with cervical (neck area) spinal cord injuries to test the safety and effect of nerve transfer surgery for restoring hand function. If included in the study, participants will undergo nerve transfer surgery, which identifies an intact peripheral nerve in the arm and reroutes it to a target muscle that has significant weakness or paralysis due to SCI. After allowing time for recovery from surgery and for nerve growth to occur, participants will receive hand/occupational therapy in order to retrain motor skills. Arm and hand strength, sensation and grip functions will be measured at 2 weeks, and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months.

Included participants

Gender

All

Age

18 - 65 years

Injury level

C1 - C8

Severity (AIS)?

AIS-A

AIS-B

AIS-C

Time since injury

6 months - 65 years

Injury type

Traumatic

Non-traumatic

Healthy volunteers

C1-C8

Additionally, participants must

have a cervical SCI resulting in arm & hand functional impairment, with at least preserved elbow flexion.

have an International Classification of Surgery of the Hand in Tetraplegia (ICSHT) category 0-4.

What’s involved

Type

Surgery

Details

The participants will undergo nerve transfer surgery and a hand/occupational therapy in order to retain motor skills. The participation in periodic outcome measurement examination is over the course of 24 months.

Potential benefits

Main benefits

Arm/hand function

Additional benefits

General health

Sensory function

Good to know: Potential benefits are defined as outcomes that are being measured during and/or after the trial.

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