Journal Article
Multicenter Study
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Common peroneal nerve palsy complicating knee dislocation and bicruciate ligaments tears.

INTRODUCTION: The occurrence rate of common peroneal nerve (CPN) palsy associated with knee dislocation or bicruciate ligament injury ranges from 10 to 40%. The present study sought first to describe the anatomic lesions encountered and their associated prognoses and second to recommend adequate treatment strategy based on a prospective multicenter observational series of knee ligament trauma cases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve out of 67 knees treated for dislocation or bicruciate lesion presented associated CPN palsy: two females, 10 males; mean age, 32 years. Four sports injuries,three traffic accidents and five other etiologies led to seven complete dislocations and five bicruciate ruptures. Four cases involved associated popliteal artery laceration ischemia; one of the dislocations was open. Paralysis was total in eight cases and partial in four. There were two complete ruptures, three contusions with CPN in continuity stretch lesions and three macroscopically normal aspects.

RESULTS: At a minimum 1 year's follow-up, regardless of the initial surgical technique performed,recovery was complete in six cases, partial (in terms of motor function) in one and absent in five. Without specific CPN surgery, spontaneous recovery was partial in one case, complete in two and absent in none. Following simple emergency or secondary neurolysis, remission was total in four cases and absent in one. Three nerve grafts were all associated with non-recovery.

DISCUSSION: The present results agree with literature findings. Palsy rates varied with trauma circumstances and departmental recruitment. Neurologic impairment was commensurate to ligamentary damages. The anatomic status of the CPN, subjected to violent traction by dislocation,was the most significant prognostic factor for neurologic recovery. In about 25% of dislocations, contusion-elongation over several centimeters was associated with as poor a prognosis as total rupture. CPN neurolysis is recommended when early clinical and EMG recovery fails to progress and/or in case of lateral ligamentary reconstruction. Possible peripheral nerve impairment needs to be included in the overall functional assessment of treatment for severe ligaments injuries and knee dislocation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prospective study.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

Related Resources

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app