What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to determine the positive predictive value of physical examination for complete digital nerve lacerations requiring repair.

Investigating the diagnostic accuracy of physical examination in digital nerve injury: a study within a trial

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A trial investigates the accuracy of physical exams for identifying digital nerve injuries, suggesting a need for better diagnostic tools.

This study aims to determine the positive predictive value of physical examination for complete digital nerve lacerations requiring repair.
Conducted as a prospective study within the NEON randomized controlled trial.
Included adult patients with suspected complete digital nerve injury in flexor zone 2 at nine UK NHS hospitals.
Physical exams were performed by hand surgery specialists, with surgical exploration used as the reference standard.
Out of 593 referred patients, 242 underwent surgical exploration.
Complete laceration was confirmed in 137 patients (true positives) and 105 had false positives.
The positive predictive value of physical examination was found to be 57%.

O’Hanlon et al. (2026) studied this question.

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A trial investigates the accuracy of physical exams for identifying digital nerve injuries, suggesting a need for better diagnostic tools.