Electrical Stimulation to Enhance Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

The primary goal of this study is to quantify the functional deficits caused by injuries to the brachial plexus and peripheral nerve in the arm. The second goal is to test the possible benefit of electrical stimulation of the injured nerve following surgery. The investigators will test whether electrical stimulation will improve hand function and nerve regeneration after repair for nerve injury. Injuries causing nerve damage in the arm and hand are common. In severe cases, functional outcomes even with surgery remain poor. Recently, electrical stimulation has been applied to injured nerves in rats. This was shown to improve nerve regeneration. These studies showed that as little as one hour of electrical stimulation was effective. Therefore, the investigators plan to test this new method of treatment to determine whether it is also helpful in humans. These will be done by using a symptom severity questionnaire, nerve conduction studies and by testing pressure sensations, hand dexterity and strength. The patients will be randomized to either the treatment or control group. Following the treatment, all baseline measurements will be reevaluated every three months for the first year and every 6 months during the second year. The timing and nature of the evaluation process will be identical in both groups.