Peripheral nerve damage is one consequence of injury to the extremities of soldiers by improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The degree of functional recovery from peripheral nerve damage is often poor, particularly for severed nerves. The result can be impaired motor and sensory function and chronic pain. Consequently, strategies for enhancing nervous function are of high relevance for military personnel. A novel strategy for nerve regeneration is proposed based on the premise that moderate tensile loading (i.e., stretch) is beneficial for stabilizing nerves after injury and accelerating regeneration. This hypothesis has been underutilized in nerve regeneration strategies despite a strong basis in physiology. In particular, peripheral nerves exist under tension naturally (they recoil when severed), and are stretched during growth or development (their growth tracks that of the lengthening skeletal framework). To test this hypothesis, methods of bioengineering device design and quantitative characterization of degenerating and regenerating tissue will be applied to an in vivo nerve regeneration model. Microfabricated devices that stabilize nerves at a fixed length (Aim 1) or enable nerve elongation during recovery (Aim 2) will be implanted into gaps of varying size created in rat sciatic nerves. Ultimately, it is believed that mechanical loading may be incorporated into treatment, stabilization, and regenerative strategies for peripheral nerves damaged during battlefield injury. |
