摘要
The slow rate of nerve regeneration after injury or recon- struction remains a clinical problem because it prohibits the timely reinnervation of distant target muscles be- fore the irreversible degeneration of the neuromuscular junction and breakdown of muscle tissue. As such, high （proximal） nerve injuries result in the incomplete recovery of motor function and poor functional outcomes despite current and timely surgical management. Experimentally, several strategies have been shown to enhance nerve regen- eration and improve functional recovery in animal models but translation to clinical practice has not been realized. Two potential treatments, tacrolimus （immunosuppres- sant） and electrical stimulation are commonly used for other reconstructive indications and as such, are both read- ily available clinically. There is some evidence, which will be reviewed in subsequent sections, that these approaches may also be useful in enhancing neuronal regeneration.
The slow rate of nerve regeneration after injury or recon- struction remains a clinical problem because it prohibits the timely reinnervation of distant target muscles be- fore the irreversible degeneration of the neuromuscular junction and breakdown of muscle tissue. As such, high （proximal） nerve injuries result in the incomplete recovery of motor function and poor functional outcomes despite current and timely surgical management. Experimentally, several strategies have been shown to enhance nerve regen- eration and improve functional recovery in animal models but translation to clinical practice has not been realized. Two potential treatments, tacrolimus （immunosuppres- sant） and electrical stimulation are commonly used for other reconstructive indications and as such, are both read- ily available clinically. There is some evidence, which will be reviewed in subsequent sections, that these approaches may also be useful in enhancing neuronal regeneration.
