RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Nerve Grafting Using MATRIderm® in Traumatic Digital Nerve Injuries: a Randomized, Single-center, Controlled Study

Every year, many people in the UK hurt their hands, and sometimes nerves are damaged, causing numbness or pain. Usually, doctors stitch cut nerves back together. This study is testing a new approach where a special material, called MatriDerm®, is wrapped around the stitched nerve. MatriDerm® is typically used to help skin heal and may act like a protective support for nerves. Researchers want to find out if wrapping the nerve with MatriDerm® leads to better recovery of sensation in the fingers compared to simply stitching the nerve. Half the patients will get the standard stitch, and the other half will get the stitch plus the MatriDerm® wrap. They'll check finger feeling a year later.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice

Enrolment target

Start

05 Feb 2026

Estimated completion

05 Aug 2028

This Study is Testing the Use of MatriDerm

What is this study about?

When you cut your hand or wrist, it can sometimes damage the nerves that help you feel. This can lead to problems like numbness, pain, or unusual sensations, and can make everyday tasks difficult. The usual way to fix a cut nerve is to carefully stitch the ends back together. Doctors are always looking for new and better ways to help these nerves heal more effectively and reduce problems like scarring.

This study is investigating a new technique using a material called MatriDerm®. You can think of MatriDerm® as a special, thin scaffold or protective layer. It's already used to help skin heal and has properties that might also help nerves recover. The idea is that if this material is wrapped around a stitched nerve, it could provide extra support and reduce scarring, leading to better feeling in the fingers.

Researchers want to see if adding this MatriDerm® wrap helps people get more feeling back in their injured fingers compared to just stitching the nerve. They will compare two groups of patients: one group will have their nerve stitched as usual, and the other group will have their stitched nerve protected with the MatriDerm® wrap. They will then check how well both groups can feel things with their fingers one year after the surgery.

Key takeaways

This study investigates if a special MatriDerm® wrap helps damaged finger nerves heal better.
It compares standard nerve stitching alone vs. stitching plus the MatriDerm® wrap.
The goal is to see if the wrap leads to better feeling in the fingers.
You won't know which treatment you receive; it's a 'blinded' study.
Participation involves surgery and a follow-up appointment one year later.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you need to be between 16 and 75 years old and have recently had a cut to your palm or finger that has damaged the sensory nerves (the nerves that help you feel). Your doctor must believe that stitching the nerve directly is the best treatment for you.

You also need to be able to come back for a follow-up visit one year after your surgery and be part of the social security system. Before you agree to participate, you'll be given all the information about the study, both written and spoken, and you’ll need to give your written consent.

There are also reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you already have problems with feeling in your hands, have had nerve damage in that hand before, or are allergic to proteins from cows. You also can't participate if you have an infection in your hand, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are considered legally unable to make your own decisions for health studies.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Am I between 16 and 75 years old?
Do I have a recent cut in my palm or finger that damaged a sensory nerve?
Has my doctor said my nerve can be repaired with direct stitches?
Can I attend a follow-up visit about one year after surgery?
Do I currently have any significant existing feeling problems in my hands?
Am I pregnant or breastfeeding?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you choose to take part in this study, you will have surgery to repair your damaged nerve. This will involve stitching the nerve together. During the surgery, you will either have the standard nerve stitch, or your stitched nerve will also be wrapped with the special MatriDerm® material. You won't know which treatment you received, and neither will the doctors evaluating your recovery afterwards.

After your surgery, you might need to keep your hand still for about two weeks, if your doctor thinks it's necessary. The main part of your participation will be attending a follow-up appointment one year after your surgery. At this appointment, researchers will perform standard touch tests to see how well the feeling has returned in your fingers. The total duration of your active participation, including check-ups, will be about one year.

Potential risks and benefits

By taking part, you might benefit from potentially better recovery of sensation in your fingers if the MatriDerm® wrap proves to be more effective than standard treatment. However, there's no guarantee the wrap will improve your outcome. As with any surgery, there are risks, such as infection or issues with healing, though these are not expected to be different from standard nerve repair. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and your medical care will not be affected.

Locations (1)

CHU de Nice
Verified postcode
Nice, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is MatriDerm®?

MatriDerm® is a special material, like a scaffold, made from collagen and elastin. It's currently used to help skin heal and is being tested to see if it can also help nerves heal better.

Will I know if I get the MatriDerm® wrap?

No, this is a 'blinded' study, meaning neither you nor the doctors assessing your recovery will know whether your nerve was wrapped with MatriDerm® or just stitched normally. This helps ensure fair results.

How long will I be involved in the study?

After your surgery, the main part of your involvement will be a follow-up visit one year later to check your finger sensation. So, you'll be involved for about a year in total.

What kind of tests will I have?

The main test will be a check of your finger sensation (how well you can feel) at your one-year follow-up appointment, using standard touch tests.

What if I change my mind about participating?

You are completely free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

How to find out more

Olivier CAMUZARD, Pr

camuzard.o@chu-nice.fr 4 92 03 36 62 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.