nerve injury Flashcards
week 8
What are the three main mechanisms of peripheral nerve injury?
Laceration, Compression, Stretch
Which type of injury is caused by gunshot wounds, knife injuries, or surgical incisions?
Laceration
What is the most common cause of peripheral nerve injury?
Motor Vehicle Accidents (46.4%)
What classification systems are used for peripheral nerve injuries?
Seddon’s and Sunderland’s classifications
Which classification describes a mild injury with focal demyelination and no axon damage?
Neurapraxia (Grade I)
Which type of nerve injury results in Wallerian degeneration but has preserved endoneurial tubes?
Axonotmesis (Grade II)
What is the most severe type of nerve injury with complete axonal transection?
Neurotmesis (Grade V)
How fast does axonal regeneration typically occur?
Approximately 1 mm/day (range: 0.5–9 mm/day)
Which nerves have excellent regenerative potential?
Radial, Musculocutaneous, Femoral
Which nerve has poor regenerative potential?
Fibular nerve
What are the three phases of nerve injury management?
Acute, Recovery, Chronic
What are the key goals during the acute phase?
Manage pain/edema, protect tissue, maintain ROM, use orthosis, patient education
What does sensory desensitization training aim to achieve?
Reduce hypersensitivity and increase cortical representation
What are the stages of sensory desensitization?
Moving touch → Constant touch → Stereognosis
What signs should prompt modification of a recovery exercise program?
Pain, swelling, discoloration, signs of CRPS
Can therapeutic exercise promote nerve regeneration?
Possibly, but current human evidence is limited
What type of training may help prevent muscle atrophy and maintain function?
Resistance training
What type of neural mobilization involves moving nerve ends in the same direction?
Sliders
What type of neural mobilization involves opposite directional movement of nerve ends?
Tensioners
How should neural mobilization be dosed?
1–2 minutes, 1–2 times per day, symptom-free and gentle
