Seventh Cervical Nerve Transfer for Spastic Arm Paresis: A Prospective Analysis of Efficacy in Ischemic vs. Hemorrhagic Stroke
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the limb functional improvement after contralateral C7 root transfer in stroke patients.
Description
Spastic limb paresis after stroke is a cause of long-term disability and reduction is quality of life, with loss of hand dexterity being especially prohibitive. In the recovery phase after initial injury, neural reorganization occurs and has been observed in both ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres. Previous studies have identified contralesional (opposite to the side of the injury), in other words, ipsilateral, activation in the recovery of paretic hand function. However, this pathway of recovery is limited due to sparse connections between the ipsilateral hemisphere and the affected ar…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * History of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke with resultant arm paresis that has ceased to improve within 1-5 years of rehabilitation. * baseline Fugl-Meyer score below 33 Exclusion Criteria: * pregnancy
Interventions
- ProcedureContralateral C7 root transfer for the treatment of spastic hemiparesis.
Performing surgery to transfer the C7 nerve to treat stroke patients experiencing spastic hemiparesis.
Location
- Dartmouth-HealthLebanon, New Hampshire