Figure 2. EPO Treatment Improves Functional Recovery in Moderately Crushed Nerves.
Sciatic function index (SFI) was determined at post-injury days 1, 2, and 7 in the 3 crush severities for both EPO and saline treated groups. Higher SFIs suggest worse function, while lower SFIs indicate better function. A: No significant differences were seen between the 2 treatment groups after mild crush injury. By 7 days post-injury, both groups have achieved almost full functional recovery. B: EPO treatment resulted in significant improvement in SFI at 7 days post-injury in the moderate crush group, suggesting accerated functional recovery. C: No significant differences in SFI were seen in the severe crush groups after either EPO or vehicle treatment. (Saline=white bars, circles; EPO = black bars. *P<0.05).