Digital nerve repair is an operation to suture a cut nerve in the finger, restoring sensation. It is performed for lacerations that divide one or both digital nerves, causing numbness in part of the finger.
The wound is explored, and the cut nerve ends are identified under magnification. The ends are trimmed to healthy tissue and sutured together using extremely fine sutures (finer than a human hair) under an operating microscope. If there is a gap, a nerve graft or conduit may be used to bridge it. The operation takes one to two hours.
Surgery is recommended for clean lacerations dividing a digital nerve, particularly on the side of the finger used for pinch grip (radial side of the index, thumb) or in the dominant hand. Without repair, the affected side of the finger remains permanently numb.
Observation may be appropriate for injuries to the non-critical side of non-dominant fingers, particularly in elderly patients.
Early repair (within days of injury) gives the best results. Delayed repair beyond three weeks becomes progressively more difficult.
Return of protective sensation in most patients. Full, normal sensation is rarely achieved — most patients recover useful but imperfect sensation. Younger patients recover better than older patients. Repaired nerves regenerate at approximately 1 mm per day.
Full, normal sensation is rarely restored. Most patients recover useful protective sensation.
Hypersensitivity to cold in the repaired finger.
Tingling and tenderness during nerve regeneration.
Painful scar tissue at the repair site.
The nerve may fail to regenerate.
Wound infection.
Finger stiffness from splinting and scar tissue.
Local, regional, or general anaesthesia.
Protective splint for two to three weeks. Gentle finger movement begins early. Desensitisation therapy when tingling begins (indicates nerve regeneration). Sensory recovery continues for 12–18 months. The nerve regenerates at approximately 1 mm per day from the repair site to the fingertip.
Wound check at two weeks. Sensation monitoring at six weeks, three months, six months, and one year.
Nerves regenerate at approximately 1 mm per day. For a finger laceration, useful sensation typically returns over three to six months, continuing to improve for up to 18 months.
Full normal sensation is rarely restored. Most patients recover useful protective sensation — enough to feel heat, cold, and sharp objects — but fine touch discrimination may remain impaired.