Beyond the Knife—Reviewing the Interplay of Psychosocial Factors and Peripheral Nerve Lesions

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injuries are a common clinical problem. They not only affect the physical capabilities of the injured person due to loss of motor or sensory function but also have a significant impact on psychosocial aspects of life. The aim of this work is to review the interplay of psychosocial factors and peripheral nerve lesions. By reviewing the published literature, we identified several factors to be heavily influenced by peripheral nerve lesions. In addition to psychological factors like pain, depression, catastrophizing and stress, social factors like employment status and worker’s compensation status could be identified to be influenced by peripheral nerve lesions as well as serving as predictors of functional outcome themselves, respectively. This work sheds a light not only on the impact of peripheral nerve lesions on psychosocial aspects of life, but also on the prognostic values of these factors of functional outcome. Interdisciplinary, individualized treatment of patients is required to identify patient at risk for adverse outcomes and provide them with emotional support when adapting to their new life situation.

Occurrence of Lymphangiogenesis in Peripheral Nerve Autografts Contrasts Schwann Cell-Induced Apoptosis of Lymphatic Endothelial Cells In Vitro

“…Moreover, 20 million people are estimated to be suffering from some form of neuropathy in the US alone, resulting in approximately USD 150 billion of annual health care costs for the treatment, care, and rehabilitation of patients, mainly caused by the low success rate of both, spontaneous and surgical peripheral nerve repair [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. The consequences pose a major socioeconomic burden, due to the significant deterioration or even persisting disability of patients associated with loss of sensory and/or motor function and unemployability; thereby strongly deteriorating the patients’ quality of life [ 3 , 5 , 6 ]. Moreover, peripheral nerve damage often leads to neuropathic pain; a serious condition affecting 6–8% of the population and accounting for 20–25% of all chronic pain disorders [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

ESWT Diminishes Axonal Regeneration following Repair of the Rat Median Nerve with Muscle-In-Vein Conduits but Not after Autologous Nerve Grafting

“…Peripheral nerve injuries implicate severe physical [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ] and psychosocial impairments [ 5 , 6 ] for the affected patients. Depending on the degree of nerve injury, surgical treatment may be necessary to restore the affected nerve’s function, but if nerve continuity has been lost entirely, e.g., through neurotmesis, a surgical intervention is obligatory [ 7 , 8 ].…”

The Grasping Test Revisited: A Systematic Review of Functional Recovery in Rat Models of Median Nerve Injury

“…Experimental models of peripheral nerve injury are essential to expand our understanding of neural regeneration following therapeutic interventions, which we continuously strive to improve, given the dramatic impact of peripheral nerve injuries on the affected patients’ quality of life [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. The most frequently used rodent model to study peripheral nerve injury and regeneration is the sciatic nerve of the rat [ 4 , 5 ].…”