Brachial Plexus Injuries

Nerve Grafts

New nerve tissue can be inserted to bridge gaps in stretched or cut nerves.

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Nerves carry electrical messages between the brain and the rest of the body. Motor nerves transport messages to muscles and make the body move. Sensory nerves carry signals of pain, pressure, temperature and other information. A nerve consists of fibers encased in a protective cover, like insulation around a wire. Nerves are delicate and can be damaged by stretching, pressure or cutting. If the fibers break, the electrical messages are no longer carried to the brain.

In most situations, cut nerves can be repaired. If the separated parts of the protective cover can be sewn together, the nerve fibers inside eventually grow back, re-establishing the electrical connection to the brain. This is preferably done within one to two weeks after the injury.

In some cases, it's not possible to reattach nerves because the nerve retracts or large portions are missing. In those situations, expendable donor nerves are harvested from other locations, such as the elbow region or the lower legs. These are called "nerve grafts." Nerve function will be restored over several months, but it is unlikely to be as fully functional as the original nerve.