Can muscle function recover after a second surgery to reattach a severed ulnar nerve, given that muscle atrophy has already occurred?

Ulnar nerve rupture accompanied by muscle atrophy may be treated with a second surgery to reconnect the nerve. Muscle function can generally improve, but complete recovery is usually not achievable. Detailed analysis is as follows:

The ulnar nerve controls muscle movement and provides nutritional support to muscles, and it belongs to a type of nerve that has limited regenerative capacity. If the ulnar nerve is severed and muscle atrophy has occurred, even after a secondary surgical repair to reconnect the nerve, the likelihood of full functional restoration remains low. Even with meticulous surgical technique, complete recovery of ulnar nerve and muscle function is typically unattainable, and only partial functional improvement can be expected.

It is recommended that patients maintain immobilization and adequate rest early after surgery, enhance nutritional intake, and later follow medical advice to gradually perform rehabilitation exercises to promote recovery of ulnar nerve and muscle function. Additionally, patients should avoid strenuous physical activities and excessive fatigue to prevent interference with the healing process.