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Review Article

Sensory neurotization of muscle: past, present and future considerations

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Pages 31-36 | Received 11 Jul 2018, Accepted 10 Sep 2018, Published online: 31 Oct 2018
 

Abstract

Research has shown that temporary innervation by a sensory neuron can provide trophic support to a denervated muscle and stave off muscular atrophy until motor neuron transfer is viable. This so called ‘sensory protection’ allows for improved outcomes when motor reinnervation able to occur. The theoretical benefit of sensory neurotization is hypothesized to maintain tissue architecture of the end organ due to tropic effects of stimulation. While the literature supports direct motor neurotization from 2 to 4 months post-injury, patient factors including the location of the injury and loss of nerve can preclude this therapeutic window. When direct neurotization is not possible, or there is a long distance to traverse for reinnervation, sensory neurotization may be beneficial. The theorized trophic stimulation enabling end organ architectural maintenance provided by sensory neurotization has been shown to allow for delayed direct motor neurotization without the irreversible sequelae of prolonged denervation. This is a review of the pathogenesis of nerve injury and a literature review of sensory neurotization. An analytical search of the literature in PubMed was performed in order to find articles pertinent to the topic of sensory neurotization, including experimental data from both animal models and case reports in humans.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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