Arch Plast Surg, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1756290 · Published: December 13, 2022
Electrical injuries can cause nerve damage, leading to muscle weakness and difficulty moving. This paper describes a case where a patient suffered femoral nerve damage, impacting their ability to extend their knee. The patient also had spinal cord injury which resulted in spasticity of the posterior thigh muscles, further limiting knee extension. Traditional nerve repair techniques were not suitable because the exact site of nerve disruption was not identifiable. The surgeons used a novel approach called Supercharge End-to-Side (SETS) nerve transfer, taking a nerve from the inner thigh (obturator nerve) and connecting it to the femoral nerve to improve knee extension. They also performed fractional tendon lengthening to release the spastic muscles.
The SETS nerve transfer technique provides a promising alternative for patients with partial femoral nerve injuries, especially when traditional nerve repair methods are not feasible.
Combining SETS with tendon lengthening can significantly improve knee extension, gait, and overall quality of life for patients with combined femoral nerve and spinal cord injuries.
This case suggests that SETS nerve transfer may be a valuable treatment option for a broader range of patients with similar nerve injuries.