Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation For Radial Nerve Injury In Upper Arm: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study

BackgroundPeripheral nerve injury is a common disease of hand surgery.Although microsurgical technique is helpful to nerve repair,long-term denervated muscle atrophy is inevitable,resulted from the slow axon regeneration, whose speed is only about 1mm/d.It is a challenging problem worldwide to accelerate the nerve regeneration and prevent the denervated muscle atrophy.Since the end of last century,several animal experiments indicated that electrical stimulation may promote nerve regeneration. Evident therapeutic efficacy was observed in clinical practice.ObjectivesTo assess the clinical effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in radial nerve regeneration in upper arm.In order to optimizing treatment,we investigate parameter and waveform of the electrical stimulation,to choose a best regimen.MethodsAfter neuroanastomosis,28 cases of radial nerve injury in upper arm were followed up.These patients were randomly distributed into two groups. Patiens were given TENS and medication(electrical stimulation group) or medication only(control group).The muscle strength was examined and the electromyogram including latency and amplitude was detected.Results1.Signifigant therapeutic benefits were achieved in muscle strength and electromyogram in electrical stimulation group(P＜0.05).2.Shorter recovery time determined by muscle strength and electromyogram activity was observed in electrical stimulation group(P＜0.05).Conclusion With remarkably therapeutic efficacy,transcutaneous electrical stimulation is of clinical potential in promoting radial nerve regeneration in upper arm.A better therapeutic benefit can be achieved by optimizing the regimen of parameter and waveform.