High Prevalence of Peroneal Neuropathy Among Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to explore the prevalence of peroneal neuropathy in children during coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. BACKGROUND: Since the COVID-19 outbreak, many children worldwide have experienced a dramatic lifestyle changes, including conducting most daily activities indoors. Peroneal nerve palsy is one of the most common entrapment neuropathies and circumstances as prolonged immobilization or leg crossing predisposes an individual to peroneal neuropathy. METHODS: This is a case-control retrospective study that included patients referred to our neurophysiology clinic with foot drop. We compared the prevalence of spontaneous peroneal neuropathy 1 year before (April 2019/March 2020) and 1 year during the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020/March 2021); and we also continued collecting data prospectively between April and September 2021 analysis the whole pandemic period. RESULTS: Totally, 399 patient clinical notes and NCS/EMG reports were reviewed, 220 were evaluated 1 year before and 179 1 year during COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a higher prevalence of peroneal neuropathy (odds ratio 4.74, 95%CI 1.30-17.25, p = 0.0183). In the COVID group (n = 11), mean age was 14 years and 63.4% were males. Mean age was 15 years and 66.7% were males in the Control group (n = 3). There was a significant difference in the time from symptoms onset to the neurophysiology assessment, with a mean time of 14 days in the Control group and 87.5 days in the COVID group. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that during the COVID-19 pandemic period, there was a higher prevalence of peroneal neuropathy among children. Strategies to prevent peroneal neuropathy should be recommened to this age group.

An overview of common peroneal nerve dysfunction and systematic assessment of its relation to falls.

PURPOSE: Compression of the peroneal nerve is recognized as a common cause of falls. The superficial course of the peroneal nerve exposes it to trauma and pressure from common activities such as crossing of legs. The nerve can be exposed also to distress due to metabolic problems such as diabetes. The purpose of our manuscript is to review common peroneal nerve dysfunction symptoms and treatment as well as provide a systematic assessment of its relation to falls. METHODS: We pooled the existing literature from PubMed and included studies (n = 342) assessing peroneal nerve damage that is related in any way to falls. We excluded any studies reporting non-original data, case reports and non-English studies. RESULTS: The final systematic assessment included 4 articles. Each population studied had a non-negligible incidence of peroneal neuropathy. Peroneal pathology was found to be consistently associated with falls. CONCLUSION: The peroneal nerve is an important nerve whose dysfunction can result in falls. This article reviews the anatomy and care of the peroneal nerve. The literature review highlights the strong association of this nerve's pathology with falls.

Common peroneal nerve palsy after primary total hip arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: The study wants to evaluate the incidence, the clinical evolution, and treatment of common peroneal nerve (CPN) palsy after primary total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: Our clinical prospective study was made between January 2016 and December 2020. The study group comprised 1240 total hip replacements over a period of five years. Six cases were diagnosed with CPN palsy (0.48%). Five were women and one man, aged from 52 to 71 years old. The common peroneal nerve lesion was diagnosed clinically and by electromyography. RESULTS: The follow-up period was at least 24 months post-operatively. In all six cases, there was a complete common peroneal nerve palsy, documented by electromyography. The poorest results were obtained in the older patients and those who had the highest body mass index, which at two years post-operatively achieved only a partial sensory rehabilitation, with complete motor deficit. All patients can walk unassisted, without support, with one case having complete rehabilitation achieved 18 months postoperatively and three with partial rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: CPN palsy after primary THA is a very serious complication with poor functional outcome. There is no consensus regarding the treatment. The age and the intensity of the rehabilitation program are the only significant factors for the medical rehabilitation after this debilitating post-operative complication.

Acute bilateral foot drop with or without cauda equina syndrome-a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Isolated acute bilateral foot drop due to degenerative spine disease is an extremely rare neurosurgical presentation, whilst the literature is rich with accounts of chronic bilateral foot drop occurring as a sequela of systemic illnesses. We present, to our knowledge, the largest case series of acute bilateral foot drop, with trauma and relevant systemic illness excluded. METHODS: Data from three different centres had been collected at the time of historic treatment, and records were subsequently reviewed retrospectively, documenting the clinical presentation, radiological level of compression, timing of surgery, and degree of neurological recovery. RESULTS: Seven patients are presented. The mean age at presentation was 52.1 years (range 41-66). All patients but one were male. All had a painful radiculopathic presentation. Relevant discopathy was observed from L2/3 to L5/S1, the commonest level being L3/4. Five were treated within 24 h of presentation, and two within 48 h. Three had concomitant cauda equina syndrome; of these, the first two made a full motor recovery, one by 6 weeks follow-up and the second on the same-day post-op evaluation. Overall, five out of seven cases had full resolution of their ankle dorsiflexion pareses. One patient with 1/5 power has not improved. Another with 1/5 weakness improved to normal on the one side and to 3/5 on the other. CONCLUSION: When bilateral foot drop occurs acutely, we encourage the consideration of degenerative spinal disease. Relevant discopathy was observed from L2/3 to L5/S1; aberrant innervation may be at play. Cauda equina syndrome is not necessarily associated with acute bilateral foot drop. The prognosis seems to be pretty good with respect to recovery of the foot drop, especially if partial at presentation and if treated within 48 h.

Focusing on foot drop: Results from a patient survey and clinical examination.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data concerning the symptom 'foot drop' are scarce in the literature. However, everyday practice shows that this symptom is frequent, and that patients who suffer from it are significantly disabled. METHODS: A special 'foot-drop consulting hour' to examine and advise people with foot drop was founded. Over 18 months we collected data from 65 patients who consulted us: this included patient-related items, diagnoses and treatment. RESULTS: People of all ages were affected by foot drop. Left and right sides were affected with equal frequency. Spinal lumbar nerve root damage and peroneal nerve compression were the most frequent causes, followed by polyneuropathy and nerve trauma. In 18% of patients more than one pathological condition was found that might have led to foot drop. In 14% no reason could be determined. 45% of patients with foot drop subsequently received surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Epidemiological data and details of patients affected by foot drop can help to raise awareness of this frequent symptom and to suggest specific therapy.

[Relationship between fabella and posterolateral knee pain and common peroneal nerve injury].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence and characteristics of fabella in the Chinese population and its correlation with pain in the posterolateral region of the knee joint and common peroneal nerve palsy. METHODS: Total 732 patients including 405 males(450 knees) and 327 females(383 knees) who underwent unilateral or bilateral knee MR imaging from September 2015 to July 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. The basic information of all patients was extracted from the hospital's his system. The patient's medical records were checked by telephone follow-up or his system, and the number of patients with posterolateral knee pain and common peroneal nerve paralysis were recorded. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of fabella was 48.38%, 23.53% in men and 24.85% in women, there was no significant difference between them (P>0.05). All the subjects were divided into five age groups. The prevalence of fabella was significantly different among different age groups:6.6% in 20 year-old group, 33.8% in 21 to 34-year-old group, 53.5% in 35 to 44-year-old group, 57.5% in 45 to 59-year-old group and 73.9% in ≥ 60-year-old group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). There was a significant correlation between the prevalence of fabella and the age of patients. With the increase of patients' age, the prevalence of fabella in knee joint also showed an obvious upward trend (P<0.001). According to the presence of fabella in the knee joint, 232 cases of knee joint pain were found, accounting for 57.57% of the patients with fabella, accounting for 27.85% of the total data(P<0.01). The correlation score analysis was R=1.546, P<0.01;when the presence of fabella in the knee joint, a total of 44 cases of common peroneal nerve paralysis occurred in the knee joint, accounting for all knees 28% of the total knee joint, and 29 cases of common peroneal nerve palsy (3.48% of the total knee joint) were found when there was no fabella in the knee joint(P<0.05). The correlation score analysis was performed with R=1.695, P<0.05. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of fabella us in Chinese population is 48.38%. There is no relationship between the incidence of gastrocnemius and gender, but the incidence of fabella is positively correlated with age, pain in the posterolateral region of the knee joint and the occurrence of common peroneal nerve symptoms.

Subclinical Peroneal Neuropathy Affects Ambulatory, Community-Dwelling Adults and Is Associated with Falling.

BACKGROUND: Peroneal neuropathy with an overt foot drop is a known risk factor for falling. Subclinical peroneal neuropathy caused by compression at the fibular neck is subtler and does not have foot drop. A previous study found subclinical peroneal neuropathy in 31 percent of hospitalized patients. This was associated with having fallen. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of subclinical peroneal neuropathy in ambulatory adults and investigate if it is associated with falling. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 397 ambulatory adults presenting to outpatient clinics at a large academic hospital was conducted from 2016 to 2017. Patients were examined for dorsiflexion weakness and signs of localizing peroneal nerve compression to the fibular neck. Fall risk was assessed with the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale and self-reported history of falling. Multivariate logistic regression was used to correlate subclinical peroneal neuropathy with fall risk and a history of falls. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 54 ± 15 years and 248 patients (62 percent) were women. Thirteen patients (3.3 percent) were found to have subclinical peroneal neuropathy. After controlling for various factors known to increase fall risk, patients with subclinical peroneal neuropathy were 3.74 times (95 percent CI, 1.06 to 13.14) (p = 0.04) more likely to report having fallen multiple times in the past year than patients without subclinical peroneal neuropathy. Similarly, patients with subclinical peroneal neuropathy were 7.22 times (95 percent CI, 1.48 to 35.30) (p = 0.02) more likely to have an elevated fall risk on the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence fall risk scale. CONCLUSION: Subclinical peroneal neuropathy affects 3.3 percent of adult outpatients and may predispose them to falling. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

Foot drop following primary total hip arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Foot drop is a potentially debilitating complication following injury to the sciatic nerve during primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors and outcome of this complication within one large surgical practice. METHODS: We analysed the records of 10,624 primary THAs carried out between January 1993 and November 2017 using a posterior approach. All were under the care of the senior author. RESULTS: Overall, there were 47 cases (0.44%) of foot drop, but over time the incidence dropped from 0.6% to 0.3% (p = 0.033). Preoperative protrusio acetabulae (p < 0.001), female sex (p < 0.001) and junior grade of surgeon (p < 0.009) were all significant risk factors. In this series, dysplasia was not a risk factor. 1 year postoperatively, 25 (53.2%) had complete recovery, 12 (25.5%) had ongoing sensory deficit but normal power, and 10 (21.3%) had a residual sensory-motor deficit. CONCLUSION: Take home message:- In this series, protrusio acetabulae, female sex and junior grade of surgeon were significant risk factors for foot drop following primary THA.

Neurological Complication After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Foot Drop.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between rapid weight loss and peroneal nerve entrapment neuropathy (PNEN) was shown in various series following bariatric surgery. Thus, we aimed to determine the occurrence of PNEN in our patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and to reveal the factors contributing to this complication. METHODS: We evaluated our series of 635 patients in terms of neurological symptoms following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, retrospectively. We recorded the preoperative data, laboratory vitamin and nutrient levels, weight loss, electromyography (EMG) findings, and treatment modalities of these patients. RESULTS: Seven out of 635 patients developed foot drop as a result of PNEN after bariatric surgery. The mean total weight loss for these patients was 50.6 kg in 6 months, and 63 kg in 12 months. In the laboratory analyses, we did not detect any signs of vitamin deficiency. EMG findings confirmed the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that rapid weight loss is correlated with the risk of foot drop incidence as a result of PNEN.

Relationship between fabella and posterolateral knee pain and common peroneal nerve injury / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the incidence and characteristics of fabella in the Chinese population and its correlation with pain in the posterolateral region of the knee joint and common peroneal nerve palsy.@*METHODS@#Total 732 patients including 405 males(450 knees) and 327 females(383 knees) who underwent unilateral or bilateral knee MR imaging from September 2015 to July 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. The basic information of all patients was extracted from the hospital's his system. The patient's medical records were checked by telephone follow-up or his system, and the number of patients with posterolateral knee pain and common peroneal nerve paralysis were recorded.@*RESULTS@#The overall prevalence of fabella was 48.38%, 23.53% in men and 24.85% in women, there was no significant difference between them (@*CONCLUSION@#The prevalence of fabella us in Chinese population is 48.38%. There is no relationship between the incidence of gastrocnemius and gender, but the incidence of fabella is positively correlated with age, pain in the posterolateral region of the knee joint and the occurrence of common peroneal nerve symptoms.

Clinical spectrum of neuropathy after primary total knee arthroplasty: A series of 54 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Neuropathy after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can cause significant morbidity but is inconsistently reported. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical, electrodiagnostic and perioperative features of all patients who underwent primary TKA at our institution and developed a new neuropathy within 8 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: Fifty-four cases were identified (incidence 0.37% [95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.49]) affecting the following nerve(s): peroneal (37), sciatic (11), ulnar (2), tibial (2), sural (1), and lumbosacral plexus (1). In all cases with follow-up data, motor recovery typically occurred within 1 year and was complete or near-complete. CONCLUSIONS: Post-TKA neuropathy is uncommon, typically does not require intervention and usually resolves within 1 year. Post-TKA neuropathy most often affects the nerves surgically at risk. Anesthesia type does not correlate with post-TKA neuropathy. An inflammatory etiology for post-TKA neuropathy is rare but should be considered in specific cases. Muscle Nerve 59:679-682, 2019.

Low Incidence of Neurovascular Complications After Placement of Proximal Tibial Traction Pins.

Skeletal tibial traction is a temporizing measure used preoperatively for femoral fractures to improve the length and alignment of the limb and provide pain relief. The goal of this study was to identify possible neurovascular morbidity associated with the use of bedside skeletal tibial traction to treat femur fractures. All femoral fractures treated with proximal tibial traction during a 10-year period at an urban level I trauma center were retrospectively reviewed. The medical record was reviewed to determine whether a pin-related complication had occurred. Records also were reviewed to identify ipsilateral multi-ligamentous knee injuries that were not diagnosed until after the application of traction. In total, 303 proximal tibial traction pins were placed. A total of 7 (2.3%; 95% confidence interval, 0.60%-4.0%) pin-related neurologic complications and zero vascular complications were noted. All complications involved motor and/or sensory deficits in the distribution of the peroneal nerve. Of the 7 complications, 6 resolved fully after surgery and removal of the pin. After traction placement, 6 (2.0%) ipsilateral multiligamentous knee injuries were diagnosed. None of these patients had a neurovascular complication. This study suggests that bedside placement of proximal tibial traction for femoral fractures is associated with a low incidence of neurovascular complications and that traction can be safely placed at the bedside by residents. A thorough neurovascular examination should be performed before insertion, and care should be taken to identify the proper starting point and reduce soft tissue trauma during pin placement. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(6):e1004-e1008.].

Prevalence of the accessory deep peroneal nerve: A cadaveric study and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The accessory deep peroneal nerve (ADPN) is a common anatomical variant arising from the superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) and, when present, is often responsible for partial or complete innervation of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle (EDBM). The nerve lies posterior to the peroneus brevis muscle, traveling posterior to the lateral malleolus to terminate in the ankle by giving off sensory branches to the ankle and joints. Although the EDBM is usually supplied by the deep peroneal nerve (DPN), in the presence of an ADPN, electrodiagnostic procedures may be complicated. Due to the lack of detailed anatomical knowledge on the topography of the ADPN, its presence posterior to the lateral malleolus can be iatrogenically injured during surgical procedures on the ankle using a lateral approach. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to provide a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of the anatomical characteristics of the ADPN, supplemented with data from our own cadaveric dissection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search of all major electronic databases, including Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SciELO, and BIOSIS was performed. All articles with data on prevalence, symmetry and innervation of the EDBM by the ADPN were included. The anatomical data was then extracted and pooled into a meta-analysis using MetaXL 2.0. In addition, we dissected 21 cadavers (n=42 lower limbs) bilaterally to find the ADPN. RESULTS: A total of 19 studies (n=6070 lower limbs) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of the ADPN was 18.8% (95%CI:14.2-24.0) with a 39.3% prevalence rate for cadaveric studies. The ADPN was present more commonly unilaterally (67.0%) and when it was present, provided branches to the EDBM in 79.5% of cases. In our cadaveric study, the ADPN was identified in 5 of the 42 lower limbs dissected (11.9%); on the right side in 3 lower limbs and on the left side in 2 lower limbs. CONCLUSIONS: The ADPN is a clinically important nerve and has been inculpated in unexplained cases of chronic ankle pain and EDBM atrophy. The variability in detection of the ADPN using electrophysiological techniques can lead to misdiagnoses of peroneal nerve lesions and increase the risk for iatrogenic injury to the ADPN, especially in laterally approaching ankle procedures and sural nerve biopsies.

Subclinical Peroneal Neuropathy: A Common, Unrecognized, and Preventable Finding Associated With a Recent History of Falling in Hospitalized Patients.

PURPOSE: Identification of modifiable risk factors for falling is paramount in reducing the incidence and morbidity of falling. Peroneal neuropathy with an overt foot drop is a known risk factor for falling, but research into subclinical peroneal neuropathy (SCPN) resulting from compression at the fibular head is lacking. The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence of SCPN in hospitalized patients and establish whether it is associated with a recent history of falling. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 100 medical inpatients at a large academic tertiary care hospital in St Louis, Missouri. General medical inpatients deemed at moderate to high risk for falling were enrolled in the summer of 2013. Patients were examined for findings that suggest peroneal neuropathy, fall risk, and a history of falling. Multivariate logistic regression was used to correlate SCPN with fall risk and a history of falls in the past year. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 53 years (SD = 13 years), and 59 patients (59%) were female. Thirty-one patients had examination findings consistent with SCPN. After accounting for various confounding variables within a multivariate logistic regression model, patients with SCPN were 4.7 times (95% CI, 1.4-15.9) more likely to report having fallen 1 or more times in the past year. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical peroneal neuropathy is common in medical inpatients and is associated with a recent history of falling. Preventing or identifying SCPN in hospitalized patients provides an opportunity to modify activity and therapy, potentially reducing risk.

Traumatic Proximal Tibiofibular Dislocation: A Marker of Severely Traumatized Extremities.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this analysis is to report on the epidemiology and clinical implications of traumatic proximal tibiofibular dislocation (PTFD). DESIGN: Retrospective chart and radiographic review. SETTING: Level 1 regional trauma center. PATIENTS: Skeletally mature patients with a traumatic PTFD between July 1, 2006, and December 31, 2013. INTERVENTION: Open reduction internal fixation of the proximal tibiofibular joint. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Patient demographics and associated musculoskeletal and neurovascular injuries were recorded as data points. RESULTS: There were a total of 30 PTFDs in 30 patients during the course of the defined study period. The incidence of PTFD was 1.5% (15 of 1013) of operative tibial shaft fractures and 1.9% (15 of 803) of operative tibial plateau fractures (P = 0.5810). Fifty percent (15 of 30) of PTFD were associated with a tibial shaft fracture, and 50% (15 of 30) with tibial plateau fractures. PTFD was associated with an open fracture in 63% (19 of 30) of cases. Two patients (6.7%) presented with a vascular injury who underwent a successful repair without vascular sequelae. Two different patients (6.7%) ultimately underwent an amputation (one above the knee and one below the knee) for a nonreconstructable extremity. In the remaining 28 patients without amputation, the incidence of compartment syndrome was 29% (8 of 28) and the incidence of peroneal nerve palsy was 36% (10 of 28). Only 30% (3 of 10) of the peroneal nerve palsies recovered clinically within the follow-up period, which averaged 11 months (range: 6 months to 4 years). CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic proximal tibiofibular joint dislocations can be found in approximately 1%-2% of both tibial plateau and shaft fractures. PTFD is associated with a high rate of compartment syndrome (29%), open fracture (63%), and peroneal nerve palsy (36%). The majority (70%) of peroneal nerve palsies do not recover. Proximal tibiofibular joint dislocation is a marker for a severely traumatized limb. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Complications After Popliteal Block for Foot and Ankle Surgery.

BACKGROUND: A popliteal nerve block is a common analgesic procedure for patients undergoing surgery on their knee, foot, or ankle. This procedure carries less risk in a surgical setting compared with other forms of anesthesia such as a spinal block. Previous reports demonstrated few to no complications with the use of this nerve block, but it is unclear whether these data are consistent with the recent increase in use of this analgesic procedure for lower extremity surgery. METHODS: Retrospectively, a busy orthopedic foot and ankle practice performed a chart review examining for postoperative neuropathic complications possibly related to the popliteal nerve block. The 1014 patients who had undergone a popliteal block for foot and/or ankle orthopedic surgery were analyzed for short and long-term neuropathic complications. The collected data consisted of tourniquet time, pressure, and location as well as the method of finding the fossa nerve, adjuncts used, and patient medical history. Data were analyzed using chi-square, Fisher's exact, and t tests for analysis with a significance value of P < .05. RESULT: Of these 1014 patients, 52 patients (5%) developed deleterious symptoms likely resulting from their popliteal block, and 7 (0.7%) of these were unresolved after their last follow-up. No immediately apparent underlying causes were determined for these complications. CONCLUSION: The frequency of a neuropathic complication following a popliteal nerve block was notably higher in the early postoperative period than indicated in the past. The proportion of patients with unresolved neuropathic symptoms at last follow-up is comparable to that previously reported in the literature. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Cosmetic lower limb lengthening by Ilizarov apparatus: what are the risks?

BACKGROUND: Compelled by the psychosocial implications of short stature, patients with short stature are increasingly undergoing distraction osteogenesis for cosmetic limb lengthening. To the degree that this is true, evaluation of the risks and benefits of this treatment are very important, but to date, there are few studies reporting on using distraction osteogenesis for this indication. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We reviewed a group of patients undergoing cosmetic lower-extremity lengthening in terms of (1) soft tissue challenges, (2) bone-related complications, and (3) functional and subjective clinical outcomes. METHODS: The study was retrospective by reviewing data from medical records and radiographs. Between 1983 and 2006, we treated 138 somatically normal patients with bilateral lower-limb distraction osteogenesis for cosmetic purposes at our center using an Ilizarov external fixator, of whom 131 (95%; 65 males, 66 females) had complete clinical and radiographic data a minimum of 1 year after treatment (mean, 6 years; range, 1-14 years) and were reviewed for this report. The mean age of these patients was 25 years (range, 14-68 years) and their mean preoperative height was 159 cm (range, 130-174 cm). One hundred twenty-four (95%) patients had lengthening of the tibia alone, of which 66 (53%) were monofocal and 58 (47%) were bifocal. Six patients (4.58%) had crossed contralateral lengthening of the femur and tibia and one patient (0.76%) had bilateral lengthening of the femur. The mean height gained was 6.9 cm (range, 2-13 cm), 7.3 cm (range, 3.5-13 cm) in males and 6.5 cm (range, 2-13 cm) in females. The mean lengthening, maturation, and external fixator indexes were 12 days/cm (range, 4.3-24 days/cm), 19 days/cm (range, 5.2-63 days/cm), and 31 days/cm (range, 12-78 days/cm), respectively. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients (37%) had 59 complications related to treatment. Thirty-seven were soft tissue related (28%), of which 17 (46%) needed reinterventions, and 22 were bone related (17%), of which 16 (73%) needed reinterventions. At final followup, the outcome was excellent for 72 patients (55%), good for 52 (40%), satisfactory for six (4.58%), and poor for one (0.77%). One hundred thirty of 131 patients subjectively felt satisfied and had improved self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: Distraction osteogenesis using the Ilizarov external fixator is an option for carefully selected motivated patients with awareness of this technique. Soft tissue and bone-related complications including those that necessitate reinterventions should be expected during the course of treatment, although most can be managed without permanent sequelae or disability. Future studies with more robust methods will need to determine whether the risks and benefits of this procedure are well balanced. Preoperative counseling, considering the ethical questions this procedure can raise, is of paramount importance for the patient to weigh the risk versus anticipated benefits. Studies from other centers will be important as we move forward. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Complications related to harvest of the proximal end of the fibula: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The fibula is a common source of bone graft used in skeletal reconstruction. Although in most cases only the diaphysis of the fibula is used, there are clinical scenarios in which the proximal end of the fibula and fibular head are harvested for use in articular reconstruction. The purpose of this systematic review is to determine the incidence of knee instability and peroneal nerve motor dysfunction associated with removal of the proximal end of the fibula and fibular head. METHODS: A systematic search was performed using the PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and cochrane databases. Studies accepted for review included those that clearly reported donor site morbidity (instability or peroneal nerve motor dysfunction) after proximal fibula resection. All studies in which the proximal fibula was resected for bone graft or for marginal resection of tumor were included. RESULTS: Fifteen studies reporting a total of 337 patients were included. The rate of symptomatic knee instability after proximal fibula resection was 3.9%. The incidence of instability that was detectible on physical examination or stress radiographs was higher. Although transient motor dysfunction was not uncommon, the incidence of persistent peroneal nerve motor dysfunction was 2.6%. CONCLUSION: Although asymptomatic laxity is common, the incidence of symptomatic knee instability after resection of the proximal fibula is relatively low. The incidence of persistent peroneal nerve motor dysfunction is also low when the nerve is intentionally protected during surgery.

Prognosis and prognostic factors in non-traumatic acute-onset compressive mononeuropathies--radial and peroneal mononeuropathies.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known about the natural history of non-traumatic compressive mononeuropathies. To improve patient management, prognostic factors and outcome in patients with non-traumatic peroneal and radial mononeuropathies were studied. METHODS: Retrospective clinical, electrophysiological and sonographic data of patients with non-traumatic peroneal and radial mononeuropathies were evaluated. Clinical, electrophysiological and sonographic evaluations had to take place 2-12 weeks after symptom onset and follow-up had to be for >6 months. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with peroneal mononeuropathy and 58 with radial mononeuropathy were included. Mean follow-up was 8.9 ± 2.4 months. Approximately 90% of patients recovered to a muscle strength of British Medical Research Council grade 4 or 5. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed conduction block on nerve conduction studies, younger age and less severe initial weakness as indicators for a good prognosis. Peripheral nerve ultrasound was not prognostic in the 40 patients where it was available. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows a good prognosis for spontaneous recovery after non-traumatic acute-onset compressive peroneal and radial mononeuropathies. Patients with denervation on needle electromyography, older age and severe initial weakness have a poorer prognosis and should be closely monitored to facilitate timely surgery whenever weakness persists. Peripheral nerve ultrasound seems to be of limited prognostic value in these mononeuropathies.