Patient discussions

Discuss prognosis and timing of treatment with the patient at an early stage. Explain about the importance of routine and regular follow-up, including ongoing physical therapy. Usually, no mobility of the joint nearest to the nerve repair is permitted for 3 weeks, to facilitate collagen deposition and healing at the nerve repair site. Subsequently, physical therapy aimed at improving joint mobility takes place for several months to years, depending on speed and quality of recovery. Neurolysis types of surgery will typically require 6 months of physical therapy while major, staged nerve reconstructions will require therapy for up to 6 to 8 years following initial reconstruction.

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