Use of ultrasound and targeted physiotherapy in the management of a nerve suture performed under joint flexion

Background In 1915, when Delorme described three general requirements for successful nerve repair—(1) resecting scar until a healthy bed is secured, (2) excising damaged nerve until healthy stumps are reached, and (3) placing tension-free sutures, either by adequately mobilizing adjacent joints or nerve grafting—his work was heavily criticized. One century later, history has vindicated all but one of these claims. Flexing adjacent joints to avoid nerve grafts remains controversial, though this practice has increased in recent years.