Combined Nerve and Tendon Transfer for the Restoration of Hand Function in Individuals With Tetraplegia

Surgery
Arm/hand function
Online since 21 February 2024, updated 305 days ago

About this trial

This is a clinical trial to assess the effects of nerve transfer surgery targeting hand function in individuals with cervical (neck area) spinal cord injuries. Tendon transfer is a traditional surgery that moves a working muscle and tendon to replace a non-working muscle, thus improving grip. Nerve transfer surgery, a newer technique, moves a normal functioning nerve to activate a paralyzed muscle. Researchers want to see if the newer method improves hand function by allowing for hand opening. This study compares tendon transfer alone with tendon transfer combined with nerve transfer. The goal is to determine if adding nerve transfer to a traditional tendon transfer surgery improves hand function more than tendon transfer alone. If selected for the study, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: tendon transfer alone, or tendon transfer combined with nerve transfer. Grip and pinch function will be assessed as well the effect on activities of daily living.

Included participants

Gender
All
Age
15 - 55 years
Injury level
C5 - C7
  • Severity (AIS)?
  • AIS-A
    AIS-B
    AIS-C
    AIS-D
    Time since injury
    ≤ 12 months
  • Injury type
  • Traumatic

    Healthy volunteers
    No
    C5-C7
    Additionally, participants must
    meet criteria for nerve transfer surgery

    What’s involved

    Type

    Surgery

    Details

    Surgery to perform the tendon and/or nerve transfer

    Potential benefits

    Main benefits

    Arm/hand function

    Additional benefits

    General health

    Mental health and psychosocial factors

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

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more

    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting
    • Trial start date
    • 26 Jan 2020
    • Organisation
    • Göteborg University
    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting
    • Trial start date
    • 26 Jan 2020
    • Organisation
    • Göteborg University

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more