The gold-standard method for reconstruction of segmental nerve defects, the autologous nerve graft, has several drawbacks in terms of tissue availability and donor site morbidity. Therefore, feasible alternatives to autologous nerve grafts are sought. Muscle-in-vein conduits have been proposed as an alternative to autologous nerve grafts almost three decades ago, given the abundance of both tissues throughout the body. Based on the anti-inflammatory effects of veins and the proregenerative environment established by muscle tissue, this approach has been studied in various preclinical and some clinical trials. There is still no comprehensive systematic summary to conclude efficacy and feasibility of muscle-in-vein conduits for reconstruction of segmental nerve defects. Given this lack of a conclusive summary, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the potential of muscle-in-vein conduits. This work’s main findings are profound discrepancies regarding the results following nerve repair by means of muscle-in-vein conduits in a preclinical or clinical setting. We identified differences in study methodology, inter-species neurobiology and the limited number of clinical studies to be the main reasons for the still inconclusive results. In conclusion, we advise for large animal studies to elucidate the feasibility of muscle-in-vein conduits for repair of segmental defects of critical size in mixed nerves.

Background: A great extent of knowledge on peripheral nerve regeneration has been gathered using the rat sciatic nerve model. The femoral nerve model of the rat offers an interesting alternative, as it lacks disadvantageous features such as automutilation. For the analysis of locomotor behavior in rats after sciatic nerve injury, the CatWalk^™ XT Gait Analysis System is often used. However, lesions of the femoral nerve in the rat have yet remained unstudied with this method.Material and Methods: Ten male Sprague Dawley rats were evaluated with the CatWalk XT to study their gait after a 6‐mm resection of the right femoral nerve and reconstruction with an autologous nerve graft. Animals were observed for 10 weeks after surgery.Results: Print Area, Print Length, Swing Speed, and Duty Cycle decreased to a minimum of 40% of baseline 2 weeks after surgery. Swing Time was elevated more than twofold at this time point. However, all these parameters recovered back to >90% of baseline values at 10 weeks after surgery. This degree of functional recovery has not been reported after sciatic nerve resection and autograft repair. Base of support varied minimally postoperatively in contrast to a strong decrement after sciatic nerve resection and repair.Conclusion: We hereby provide a comprehensive in‐depth analysis of how to study functional recovery after injury of the femoral nerve in the rat via the CatWalk XT. We place special emphasis on highlighting the differences between the femoral nerve and sciatic nerve injury model in this context.

Background Enchondromas are the most common primary tumors in the small tubular bones of the hand, and fractures are often the result of thinned cortical bone. The main question was whether fractured enchondromas influence long-term clinical and radiological outcomes. Methods Between 2000 and 2019, 57 patients with previously treated fractured (group I) and non-fractured (group II) hand enchondromas (34 female, 23 male; mean age 39.4 ± 13.7 years) were evaluated for clinical and radiological treatment outcomes. Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) and Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaires as well as patient-reported experience measures were used to assess subjective health outcomes. Subsequently, 43 patients underwent clinical and radiological follow-ups. Comparative evaluation of objective treatment outcomes in both groups was conducted in terms of hand functionality, perioperative complications, recurrence rates, and osteogenesis. Results Almost half of the patients suffered enchondromas with fractures (49.1%, n = 28). Two patients received additional k-wire stabilization due to intraoperative instability. Defect resolution could be reached in 97.7% (n = 42) of all cases. No recurrence of enchondroma was observed. Groups were equal regarding radiological and clinical outcomes. The patient-reported experiences were predominantly positive (86%), and both cohorts had good to very good results with a DASH mean score of 4 (± 6.3). The SF-36 demonstrated a return to normal quality of life in both groups. The mean follow-up time was 7.78 years (± 4.8). Conclusion Sole curettage of enchondromas yields effective outcomes with good to excellent results regardless of the presence of a fracture. Long-term radiological follow-up is not required until symptomatic recurrence.

We report the case of a 57-year-old male who presented to our emergency room due to progressive paresis of the muscles innervated by the deep branch of the radial nerve in the right forearm. The patient suffered from osteofibrous dysplasia and an x-ray revealed the polyostotic disease had also affected his radius. High resolution ultrasound revealed that an exostosis of the radius had caused compression of the posterior interosseous nerve unusually distally in the supinator tunnel. The patient underwent nerve decompression and recovered full strength in his wrist-, and finger extensors approximately 9 months postoperatively. This case report illustrates a case of a rare disease, i.e. osteofibrous dysplasia of the radius, in conjunction with the first published report of an unusually located nerve compression syndrome, i.e. supinator syndrome, caused by this very disease.

Review question / Objective: This work aims to report and summarize the course of functional recovery following crush injuries, transections and segmental resection of the rat median nerve. Condition being studied: Peripheral nerve injuries. Eligibility criteria: Only such studies were included which featured at least two postoperative time points at in which functional recovery was evaluated. Main outcome(s): Functional recovery as assessed by the grasping test.