Spinal cord series and cases
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Spinal Cord Ser Cases · Aug 2020
Case ReportsUsing electrodiagnostics to define injury patterns amenable to nerve transfer surgery in tetraplegia: an illustrative case report.
Spinal cord injury is a devastating condition affecting a person's independence and quality of life. Nerve transfers are increasingly used to restore critical upper extremity function. Electrodiagnostic studies guide operative planning but the implications for clinical outcomes is not well defined. This case study delineates how clinical examination and electrodiagnostics can define the varying patterns of neuronal injury to guide timing and strategy for optimal outcomes in nerve transfers. ⋯ Upper and lower motor neuron injuries can coexist in individuals with SCI. This example provides proof-of-concept that preoperative electrodiagnostic studies predict LMN injury, and surgery can achieve positive outcomes if completed soon after SCI.