Nerve Transfer Surgery to Restore Upper-limb Function After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

The goal of this prospective, open label cohort study is to assess functional and motor outcomes in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury who have undergone nerve transfer surgery, with the goal of increasing upper limb function. We will also compare these outcomes to a cohort of similarly matched individuals who have not undergone nerve transfer surgery, using robust outcome measures, rigorous pre-operative clinical and neurophysiological assessments, and standardized rehabilitation. At the end of this project we aim to develop a model for predicting nerve transfer outcomes using pre-operative clinical and neurophysiological characteristics.

Inclusion Criteria:Motor complete (AIS A or B) between neurological level of injury C5 and C8Able to provide informed written consentAble to attend and comply with the testing protocolsAble to understand and speak English or have access to an appropriate interpreter as judged by the investigator.Exclusion Criteria:An uncontrolled medical condition (e.g. uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney or liver disease)Have ever received botulinum toxin injections (Botox) for tone management in the upper limbAn unmanaged secondary complication of SCI including but not limited to uncontrolled neuropathic pain or spasticity, syringomyelia, fracture, urinary tract infection or significant pressure ulcer, preventing participation in testing