Timed Functional Tests to Evaluate Sensory Recovery in Sutured Nerves

Various methods were used in an attempt to evaluate the degree of recovery ofsensory function in divided and sutured median and ulnar nerves. The answer given by discrimination tests was that the results in all cases, except children, were uniformly bad. Timed functional tests, however, showed a spread of results across the cases which allowed statistical analysis of the major factors contributing to the outcome. INTRODUCIlON Complete division of the median or ulnar nerves in the forearm or wrist is by no means a rare injury. It can occur, for example, when people fall, with their outstretched hand, through a window or glass door and occasionally follows an attempt, or alleged attempt, at suicide. The effect is devastating, particularly when the median nerve is involved. Complete loss of sensibility in the flexor surfaces of the thumb and the index and middle fingers renders it almost impossible to perform fine manipulative tasks. Division of th