A patient undergoes nerve repair 2 months after a sharp median nerve laceration at the wrist. The expected rate of nerve regeneration distally, and the clinical test to assess recovery progress is:

• A 1 mm/day (approximately 1 inch/month) distally; Tinel's sign advancement ✓
• B 5 mm/day distally; electromyography
• C 3 mm/day; grip strength measurement
• D 2 mm/day; two-point discrimination testing only

Explanation

Peripheral nerve regeneration proceeds at approximately 1 mm/day (1 inch/month or ~2.5 cm/month) distal to the repair site after a delay of 1–3 weeks (latency period for stump preparation). Clinically, advancement of Tinel's sign (percussion producing tingling in the distribution of the nerve) progresses distally at the regeneration front and is the bedside method to track reinnervation progress. EMG/NCS provides electrophysiological confirmation but cannot be used for continuous bedside monitoring. Two-point discrimination returns last, indicating near-complete sensory reinnervation.

Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.