Promoting axonal regeneration following nerve surgery: a perspective on ultrasound treatment for nerve injuries

Abstract

Nerve injury is often associated with limited axonal regeneration and thus leads to delayed or incomplete axonal reinnervation. As a consequence of slow nerve regeneration, target muscle function is often insufficient and leads to a lifelong burden. Recently, the diagnosis of nerve injuries has been improved and likewise surgical reconstruction has undergone significant developments. However, the problem of slow nerve regeneration has not been solved. In a recent meta-analysis, we have shown that the application of low-intensity ultrasound promotes nerve regeneration experimentally and thereby can improve functional outcomes. Here we want to demonstrate the experimental effect of low intensity ultrasound on nerve regeneration, the current state of investigations and its possible future clinical applications.

Keywords

• peripheral nerve injuries; nerve regeneration; reinnervation; experimental studies; low-intensity ultrasound; adjunct treatment; nerve reconstruction; nerve surgery; axonal injury