The Interdisciplinary Clinic for Peripheral Nerve Injury – from Bench to Bedside

Workshop outline
Peripheral nerve injury is very common, particularly in young individuals that carry major socioeconomic costs. Although peripheral nerve has the capability to regenerate, the pace is slow and is only sustained in a brief time window. Not surprisingly, the outcome is often poor without timely intervention. In recent years, concerted efforts have been made to improve the clinical outcomes in this patient population through advances in clinical delivery models, diagnostic tools, nerve reconstruction techniques and basic science discoveries.
This workshop will provide a comprehensive overview of the interdisciplinary approach to the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients with peripheral nerve injury, from common entrapment syndromes to the most severe traumatic nerve injuries and cervical spinal cord injuries. The session will bridge bench discoveries with bedside implementation, emphasizing the integration of electrodiagnostic testing (EDX), neuromuscular ultrasound, novel nerve reconstruction procedures, pre and postop rehab strategies to deliver quantitative and personalized insights into nerve and muscle health.
Participants will explore how diaphragm ultrasound and phrenic nerve conduction studies (NCS) can be applied to guide weaning strategies after SCI,and inform prognostication following phrenic neuropathy in conjunction with comprehensive EDX findings. The workshop will also demonstrate how EDX, MUNE, and ultrasound collectively support timing and procedural selection for upper extremity reconstruction, including nerve versus tendon transfers and outcome prediction. In addition, the session will examine the implementation of therapeutic electrical stimulation as an adjunct to peripheral nerve repair surgery. highlighting translational advances in nerve stimulation technologies. We will augment the above with a case-based format, participants will analyze clinical scenarios across the spectrum of nerve injury, from neurectomy, neuroma, and revision, combining diagnostic interpretation, surgical decision-making, and rehabilitation strategies through an interactive, multidisciplinary lens.

Topic Area:
Clinical; Education; Research; Health Care Administration

Workshop target audience
The target audience for this workshop is:
▪ Allied health
▪ Medical practitioners
▪ Students
▪ Trainees

Learning outcomes
1. To address the scope and challenges of complex nerve injury and restoration of function
2. To address services and support needed for patients with peripheral nerve injury
3. To highlight translational advances integrating basic science discoveries into clinical decision-making
4. To translate lessons learned to other patient populations including spinal cord injury


References

1. Kennedy V Jr…Franz CK. Applications of advances in therapeutic electrical stimulation techniques and technologies in precision peripheral nerve repair. Adv Technol Neurosci. 2025 ;2:97-101.
2. Berger MJ..Franz CK. Clinical electrodiagnostic evaluation for nerve transfer surgery in spinal cord injury: a new indication and clinical pearls. J Neurophysiol. 2022;128:847-853.
3. Bateman EA….Miller TA. Assessment, management, and rehabilitation of traumatic peripheral nerve injuries for non-surgeons. Muscle Nerve. 2025 71:696-714.
4. Bateman EA…Miller TA. Assessment, patient selection, and rehabilitation of nerve transfers. Front Rehabil Sci. 2023 4:1267433.
5. Barnes SL, Miller TA, Simon NG. Traumatic peripheral nerve injuries: diagnosis and management. Curr Opin Neurol. 2022;35:718-727.
6. Larocerie-Salgado J… Miller TA. Rehabilitation following nerve transfer surgery. Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2022;26:71-77.
7. Stephens T…Berger MJ. Understanding surgical decision-making in patients with traumatic upper extremity peripheral nerve injury. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2025;104:407-413.
8. Pye A…Berger MJ. Patient perspectives on interdisciplinary peripheral nerve trauma care. Plast Surg. 2025;33:78-84.
9. Doherty C…Berger M. Contemporary approaches to peripheral nerve surgery. Plast Surg. 2024;32:516-527.
10. Demetriou N…Franz CK. Phrenic neuropathy etiologies and recovery trajectories in outpatient rehabilitation and neuromuscular medicine clinics. Muscle Nerve. 2024;70:980-987.
11. Hebert JS, Elzinga K, Chan KM, et al. Updates in targeted sensory reinnervation for upper limb amputation. Curr Surg Rep. 2014;2:45.
12. Jack A…Chan KM*. Characterization of spinal cord injury patients for arm functional restoration through nerve transfer. Can J Neurol Sci. 2023;7:1-5.
13. Zuo KJ…Chan KM. Electrical stimulation to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration: update in molecular investigations and clinical translation. Exp Neurol. 2020 Jul 3;332:113397.

COI
Unless noted below there are none. 
Thomas A. Miller, MD – Disclosed speakers bureau participation (AbbVie)