The potential therapeutic effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) after rat
peroneal nerve crush was evaluated. Animals were given 100% oxygen at
2.5 atmosphere absolute for 90 minutes twice daily for 1 week and then
once daily for 1 week. Edema increased in crushed nerves compared wit
h control nerves, but-up effect was associated with the administration
of HBO. Gait analysis demonstrated injury at 1, 7, and 14 days after
nerve crush, but no difference was found at 22 and 28 days after injur
y (analysis of variance: P<.001, 10 animals per group). Eight weeks af
ter injury, nerve stimulation and muscle force measurements were 114 g
for the injured group and 146 g for the control group (P<.001). There
were no HBO-associated changes in gait parameter or nerve/muscle forc
e measurements. This study demonstrated that rat peroneal nerve crush
injury causes acute intraneural edema and temporary decrement of gait
parameters. Elicited nerve stimulation demonstrated persistent loss of
force 4 weeks after normalization of gait, but no HBO effect.