Influence of massage on rate of downgrowth of regenerating axons in injured peripheral nerves; a histological study.

The purpose of this study has been the investigation of the influence of manual massage, applied directly over the site of injury in a peripheral nerve, on the rate of downgrowth of the regenerating axons into the peripheral segment of the nerve. There have been a number of reports in the literature on allegedly successful or unsuccessful attempts to stimulate the rate of peripheral nerve regeneration. As regards the use of massage in this connection, many investigators have stressed the value of its application to denervated muscles, in order to maintain them in as healthy a state as possible for their resumption of function following their reinnervation. However, little has been written of the effect of massage applied directly to the peripheral nerve at the point of its injury and repair. Indeed, a careful review of the pertinent literature has not disclosed any report of a controlled investigation, either clinical or experimental, of this particular aspect of the problem. The present investigation was undertaken at the suggestion of Dr. William V. Cone. Dr. Cone has had the impression that, in patients in whom daily massage could be applied directly over the suture site in an injured peripheral nerve (such as the median nerve at the wrist), the rate of functional recovery of this nerve has been more rapid than in patients not treated in this way. Our experiments were therefore planned to evaluate more objectively this clinical impression