Radial Nerve Transection and Tubular Repair

All subjects underwent complete transection of the radial nerve proximal to the elbow followed by tubular repair in the trained right forelimb, as previously described^{9 (link)}. Animals were deeply anesthetized with ketamine hydrochloride (80 mg/kg, IP) and xylazine (10 mg/kg, IP), and given supplemental doses as needed to maintain areflexia. A small incision was made proximal to the elbow in the right forelimb, and the radial nerve carefully isolated, exposed, and completely transected with micro-scissors. Immediately following transection, the proximal and distal stumps of the nerve were sutured 1 mm inside the opposite ends of a 6 mm saline filled polyurethane tube (Micro-Renathane 0.095″ I.D 0.066″ O.D., Braintree Scientific, Inc., Braintree, MA), resulting in a 4 mm gap between nerve stumps. The skin incision was sutured and treated with antibiotic ointment. All animals were given a single injection of enrofloxacin (7.5 mg/kg, IP) and sustained release buprenorphine (1.2 mg/kg, SC) immediately following surgery.