Figure 3.

Classification of the individual paw usage abilities based on the weekly performed reflex‐based grasping test revealed the onset and progression of functional motor recovery over 12 weeks postsurgery. With the help of video analysis, an earlier onset of functional recovery was found in autologous nerve graft–reconstructed animals leading to complete functional recovery by the end of observation. Functional recovery of muscle‐in‐vein graft repaired animals was delayed and incomplete at 12 weeks postsurgery (n = 16 at 4 and 8 weeks postsurgery; n = 8 at 12 weeks postsurgery). No statistical evaluation was applied. Values are given as percentages related to all evaluated paws in the particular group