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Pioneering nerve transfers at Washington University

Susan Mackinnon (KWMU photo)
Susan Mackinnon (KWMU photo)

By Robert Frederick, KWMU

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwmu/local-kwmu-506270.mp3

St. Louis, MO – About 500,000 people suffer a nerve injury each year.

While many techniques for repairing them require treatment within six months, researchers at Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital are pushing that limit out to a year or even more through nerve transfers.

Susan Mackinnon pioneered the technique of nerve transfers, and spoke to KWMU's science reporter Robert Frederick about the interchangeability of the human nervous system.

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