Three cases where sensation returned and two where dulled sensation improved after neurolysis are reported. In each instance the nerves had good blood supply after the tourniquet was released. The patterns of preoperative anesthesia and postoperative return did not appear to be psychological in origin or to be due to overlap. Although this phenomenon has not been reported in human patients, there are reports of the effects of compression of nerves in experimental animals which point to ischemia as a cause of loss of function in nerves 1,2,5,6,7.
In certain instances, when external pressure is relieved, sensation is the first to return. Relief of external compression from scar will at times result in an almost immediate return of gross sensation or immediate sharpening of dulled epicritic sense.