Cast or Epineural Suture for Digital Nerve Injuries: A Randomised Controlled Study

What this Trial Is About

Digital nerve injuries in the fingers are common and affect people of various ages. This research aims to evaluate and compare how well sensory function recovers after treatment for isolated digital nerve injuries in fingers 2 through 5, excluding the thumb. The study addresses the current lack of knowledge regarding optimal treatment approaches and sensory restoration after this type of injury. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two treatments: surgical repair using epineural sutures or non-operative care involving immobilization of the injured finger in a plaster cast. The surgical group will have the injured nerve exposed and sutured with two or three fine synthetic sutures, followed by three weeks in a plaster cast and rehabilitation. The non-operative group will have the skin closed without exposing the nerve and the finger protected in a plaster cast for three weeks, also followed by rehabilitation. Participants will be followed up at 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after treatment to assess nerve function, finger mobility, dexterity, hand function, pain, anxiety, and time spent on sick leave. The primary outcome is measured by static two-point discrimination one year after injury. Secondary outcomes include grip strength, sensory tests, functional hand tests, pain and psychological assessments, and recording of sick leave duration. This study is sponsored by Karolinska Institutet and aims to provide comprehensive data on treatment outcomes for digital nerve injuries.

Cast Or ePineural Suture for Digital Nerve Injuries - a Randomised Controlled Study