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Retrograde changes in motor and sensory conduction velocity after nerve injury

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Summary

Nerve section is followed by a reduction of motor and sensory conduction velocity in the proximal segment of the injured nerve. This reduction of velocity is associated with retrograde changes in fiber size. If reinnervation does not occur within the next 1 1/2–2 years, retrograde degeneration of nerve fibers results, and the amplitude of the evoked nerve potential in the proximal segment of the injured nerve decreases. This retrograde degeneration is probably significant in view of the poor results frequently obtained after nerve transplantation which is carried out too late.

Zusammenfassung

Traumatische Nervenläsionen sind regelmäßig von einer Herabsetzung der maximalen motorischen und sensiblen Nervenleitgeschwindigkeit im supraläsionellen Abschnitt gefolgt. Dieser korrespondieren retrograde Faserveränderungen mit Reduktion des Axondurchmessers, wobei wahrscheinlich die dicken, rasch leitenden Fasern bevorzugt betroffen sind. Das Ausbleiben einer Reinnervation innerhalb von 1 1/2–2 Jahren führt vermutlich zur retrograden Faser-Degeneration, da nach dieser Zeit eine starke Erniedrigung des evozierten Nervenpotentials im proximalen Nervenabschnitt resultiert. Diese retrograde Degeneration dürfte für die oft schlechten Ergebnisse nach spät erfolgender Nerventransplantation von Bedeutung sein.

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Stöhr, M., Schumm, F. & Reill, P. Retrograde changes in motor and sensory conduction velocity after nerve injury. J. Neurol. 214, 281–287 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00316573

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00316573

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