Molecular and Cellular Correlates of Nerve Repair in Humans

This is a longitudinal prospective cohort study in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome undergoing decompression surgery. Phenotypic data and skin biopsies were collected before and 6 months after surgery to determine molecular and cellular correlates associated with neural regeneration and neuropathic pain. RNA sequencing was performed in the skin samples and differential gene expression was determined post compared to pre surgery. The molecular changes identified in skin were correlated with the clinical phenotype representing neural regeneration.]]> Inclusion: Patients with clinically and electrodiagnostically confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome on surgical waitlists. Exclusion criteria: Other peripheral neuropathy than carpal tunnel syndrome (e.g., cervical radiculopathy, ulnar neuropathy) other medical condition affecting the upper limb and neck (e.g., hand osteoarthritis) diabetes mellitus diabetes mellitus history of significant trauma to the upper limb or neck pregnancy related carpal tunnel syndrome previous carpal tunnel surgery ]]> The longitudinal Oxford CTS cohort reported here started in 2014 and ended in 2018.]]>