Targeted Muscle Reinnervation: A Paradigm Shift for Neuroma Management and Improved Prosthesis Control in Major Limb Amputees

Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) is a procedure that redirects nerves severed by amputation to new muscle targets. In tandem with advances in myoelectric prosthetics, TMR surgery provides amputees with improved control of myoelectric prostheses and simultaneously prevents or treats painful neuromas. TMR also has an emerging role in the management of neuromas in a nonamputation setting, and it seems to be a powerful strategy to treat a wide variety of neuromas. Because the pattern of nerve transfers varies based on the availability of donor nerves and muscle targets, TMR is inherently nonprescriptive, and thus, an understanding of the principles of TMR is essential for its successful application. This review describes the rationale for and principles of TMR, and outlines techniques for TMR, which can be used at various amputation levels and for the management of neuromas in nonamputees.