Perifeer zenuwletsel en het effect van vitamines op het herstelproces

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injury and the effect of vitamins on the recovery process Although peripheral nerve injuries are usually not life-threatening, they can have a significant impact on the patient’s quality of life and daily functioning, with typical symptoms such as complete paralysis or severe neuropathic pain. The peripheral nervous system is capable of some regeneration and recovery, allowing conservative treatment in mild to moderate nerve damage. For severe peripheral nerve injuries surgical reconstruction remains the golden standard. However, despite the extensive knowledge of the pathophysiology of peripheral nerve trauma, a full functional recovery after a severe peripheral nerve injury is rare with the current therapeutic options. Success depends on a variety of factors: location and severity of the injury, age and physical condition of the patient, therapeutical approach, … Therefore, it is important to search for the best possible means to achieve maximal functional recovery. This article first discusses the current knowledge about the pathophysiology of peripheral nerve trauma, highlighting the most important factors that influence the recovery process. Subsequently, it will render a review of the influence of vitamins A/B/C/D/E/K on this recovery process: vit B and D seem to enhance the regeneration process of nerves and the functional recovery of the end organ, while vit C and E show an important antinociceptive effect.