Nerve Transfer Versus Tendon Transfer for Isolated Radial Nerve Palsy.
Tarek Abdalla El-Gammal, Amr El-Sayed, Mohamed Adel Abdeen
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This prospective randomized clinical trial compared nerve transfer (NT) with tendon transfer (TT) in 21 patients with isolated radial nerve injuries. At average follow-up of 20 months for NT and 15 months for TT, NT produced greater wrist extension (54° vs 34°) and better results across several other measured ranges of motion, as well as higher muscle power grades for finger and thumb extension. Both groups improved in Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores and grip strength, without significant between-group differences. TT was associated with faster functional recovery.
Key findings
- NT achieved greater wrist extension than TT (54° vs 34°) and greater wrist flexion (51° vs 27°).
- NT also improved metacarpophalangeal hyperextension (15° vs 8°) and thumb radial abduction (44° vs 37°) relative to TT.
- Both groups improved in Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores and grip strength, with no significant between-group differences.
- Functional recovery was faster after TT than NT (4.30 ± 1.49 months vs 5.72 ± 1.34 months).
Why it matters
The findings highlight a trade-off between earlier functional recovery and stronger longer-term movement outcomes in reconstructive options for isolated radial nerve injury. They may help frame discussions about the differing outcome profiles of nerve and tendon transfer, while the absence of between-group differences in disability scores and grip strength cautions against assuming one approach is superior across all measures.
What to keep in mind
The trial included only 21 patients, and average follow-up differed between groups. The authors recommend larger studies to validate the results.