Restoring Hand Function Utilizing Nerve Transfers in Persons With Cervical Spinal Cord Injuries

Restoring Hand Function Utilizing Nerve Transfers in Persons With Cervical Spinal Cord Injuries

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nerve transfer surgery for restoring hand function as a therapy for patients with cervical spinal cord injury.

Inclusion Criteria:

• American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade of A, B, or C, or with a diagnosis of central cord syndrome, showing minimal to no evidence of functional improvement in motor examination after at least 6 months of non-operative therapy post-injury
• >6 months post-injury
• International Classification of Surgery of the Hand in Tetraplegia (ICSHT) category 0-4
• Cervical spinal cord injury resulting in arm & hand functional impairment, with at least preserved elbow flexion
• Physically and mentally willing and able to comply with study protocol
• Lives in the immediate area and has no plans to relocate
• Provides informed consent and HIPAA release of medical information

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active infection
• Any return or ongoing clinical recovery of distal motor function within 6 months after injury
• Physically/mentally compromised
• Systemic disease that would affect the patient's welfare or the research study
• Immunologically suppressed or immunocompromised
• Currently undergoing long-term steroid therapy
• Active malignancy
• Pending litigation or receiving Workers Compensation related to injury or accident
• Pregnancy
• Significant contractures and/or limitations in passive range of motion in the arm or hand
• Poorly controlled upper extremity spasticity
• Uncontrolled pain or hypersensitivity
• Previous or current injury preventing use of tendon transfers to restore upper extremity function
• History of brachial plexus injury or systemic neuropathic process
• In the opinion of the Principal Investigator the subject would not be a candidate for the procedure