Surgical management of peripheral nerves after extremity loss

• Published in: Der Orthopäde 2021-01, Vol.50 (1), p.14-23
• Main Authors: Gstoettner, Clemens, Laengle, Gregor, Salminger, Stefan, Festin, Christopher, Platzgummer, Hannes, Aszmann, Oskar C
• Format: Article
• Language: ger
• Subjects: Amputation; Amputation Stumps - surgery; Extremities; Humans; Peripheral Nerves - surgery; Phantom Limb
• ISSN: 1433-0431
• DOI: 10.1007/s00132-020-04032-1

After limb loss, it is the surgeon's task to provide the patient with a pain-free and resilient residual limb. Particularly in the upper extremity, there is an additional functional aspect, as appropriate muscle signals are needed to control myoelectric prostheses. Surgical management of peripheral nerves within the residual limb plays a central role both in terms of pain treatment as well as functional human-machine interfacing. The presentation of current surgical procedures for dealing with peripheral nerves after limb amputation. A literature search is carried out regarding the surgical prophylaxis and therapy of neuroma and phantom limb pain, as well as techniques to improve the functional interface between residual limb and prosthesis. Practical recommendations are formulated based on relevant literature, as well as the experiences of the authors. There is a large number of different surgical techniques, particularly for the management of painful neuromas. Of the conventional methods, intramuscular implantation of the terminal nerves is commonly used with good results. Newer techniques such as targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) and the regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) aim for the first time to provide functional end organs to the nerve even after amputation. In addition to the improved control of myoelectric prostheses, these methods further show excellent results for treatment and prevention of neuroma and phantom limb pain.