Mechanical effects of compression of peripheral nerves.

Effects of graded compression on nerve function were analyzed in order to evaluate the relative importance of pressure level and duration of compression for functional deterioration. The pressure was applied by means of a small inflatable cuff. The effects of two pressure levels, i.e., 80 mm Hg applied for 2 hr or 400 mm Hg applied for 15 min, were studied in rabbit tibial nerves. The lower pressure tested, which is known to induce ischemia of the compressed nerve segment, also causes some degree of mechanical deformation of the nerve trunk, which leads to incomplete recovery following pressure release. The duration of compression is of importance for the degree of nerve injury even at the higher pressure level tested.