Upper extremity nerve injuries: the significance of soft tissue associations

The morbidity and social cost is found to be very high for upper extremity nerve injuries. Despite the fast advances in scientific studies and technology, a complete recovery following peripheral nerve injuries is still not possible, though, comprehensible progression in this field is obtained especially following microsurgery techniques. The aim of this study, is to present the anatomical locations of upper extremity nerve injuries treated in our clinic and the relationship between nerve injuries with other vital organ and soft tissue injuries. 111 patients with 134 nerve injuries treated in our clinic between January 2001 and December 2003 were included in this study. A high association of soft tissue injuries was found for all nerve types. The functional deficits observed following upper extremity nerve injuries, generate deep marks on the psychosocial life of the patients. It is a known fact that, an accompanying muscle, tendon or artery injury reveals a worse prognosis. It is clearly observed from our study that an isolated nerve injury is an exception than a rule. This should be a major concern when consequences of upper extremity injuries and the results of treatments are being evaluated. The accompanying soft tissue injuries may overall change the fate of an otherwise successful nerve repair.