A study was conducted to investigate the effects of age on functional recovery following a median and/or ulnar nerve repair. A group of 17 children was compared to a group of 17 adults with nerve injuries of similar severity and site. Motor and sensory function, tactile gnosis, manual dexterity, pain and perception of disability were assessed by an independent examiner. The results indicate a better qualitative and quantitative recovery in children than in adults, with respect to two-point discrimination, grip strength, tactile gnosis, manual dexterity and self-report of performance in daily activities. In conclusion, age at the time of injury was found to influence the extent of functional recovery following peripheral nerve injuries. Other factors, such as cortical plasticity, rate and extent of nerve regeneration, attitudes and psychological adjustment to disability, may further explain the differences observed between the two groups.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.22442 |
| Date | January 1991 |
| Creators | Joubert, Diane |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Master of Science (School of Physical and Occupational Therapy.) |
| Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
| Relation | alephsysno: 001243459, proquestno: MM72158, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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