RecruitingNCT05638191

Nerve Transfer Surgery to Restore Upper-limb Function After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Sponsor

University of British Columbia

Enrollment

40 participants

Start Date

Jun 3, 2021

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injury Upper Extremity Paresis SCI - Spinal Cord Injury Upper Extremity Dysfunction Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Spinal Cord Injury at C5-C7 Level Upper Extremity Paralysis tetraplegia

Summary

The goal of this prospective, open-label cohort study is to assess functional outcomes in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury who have undergone nerve transfer surgery to restore upper limb function. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does nerve transfer improve hand function in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury? * What factors are associated with functional improvement following nerve transfer? Researchers will compare functional outcomes at 24 months post-surgery to 1) baseline outcomes and 2) individuals with cervical spinal cord injury who did not undergo nerve transfer. Participants who have received nerve transfer surgery as part of their regular medical care will complete functional hand tests, electrodiagnostic assessments, and questionnaires on independence and mood every 3 months for 24 months after surgery.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 70 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This clinical trial is studying a procedure called Nerve transfer surgery for people with cervical spinal cord injury, sci - spinal cord injury, and other related conditions. The study is currently recruiting participants at 4 locations.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

PROCEDURENerve transfer surgery

The intervention in this study, which follows our clinical approach, is the "double nerve transfer" to restore grasp function (i.e., hand opening and hand closing). Finger and thumb extension (hand opening) is restored via the supinator-posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) transfer. Finger and thumb flexion (hand closing) is restored via a nerve transfer to the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN). There are two donor nerve options available to restore function to the muscles supplied by the AIN: the nerve to the brachialis and the nerve to the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) or extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB).