An Italian patient with a paralyzed hand can move again thanks to the nerves in his foot. The 55-year-old man who was seriously injured in a road accident five months ago has regained the use of his hand after a ground-breaking operation in a Turin hospital. Part of the sciatic nerve was implanted in his arm.
According to the Turin health authority “Città della Salute”, this is the first time in the world that such an operation has been carried out. Last July, while commuting to work on his scooter, the patient was hit by a motorcycle that missed a red light at an intersection. The man suffered a serious injury to his left arm and had half of his right leg amputated.
Nerve branches were implanted from one area of the patient's body to another to restore impaired functions. Normally, nerves located close to the injured limb are used, which was not possible in this case. The solution was to use part of the sciatic nerve to revive the injured arm.
Now the patient must gradually learn to control his hand again. At first he still needs to think about the movements, but later he will develop the new skill thanks to the adaptability of his brain, experts reported.
Microsurgeons and neurosurgeons were involved in the twelve-hour operation. The patient was then transferred to the neurosurgery ward. The rehabilitation period will take place under the supervision of specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation.