Surgical treatment of superimposed, lower extremity, peripheral nerve entrapments with diabetic and idiopathic neuropathy

Document Type

Article

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although it is recognized that people with peripheral neuropathy have an increased prevalence of chronic nerve entrapment, controversy still exists over their management. The present report details the evaluation, surgical approach, and outcome of a large cohort of people with diabetic and with idiopathic neuropathy. METHODS: A retrospective review of 158 consecutive patients, 96 with diabetic and 62 with idiopathic neuropathy, was done to analyze the results of neurolysis of multiple sites of chronic nerve compression in the lower extremity. Of these patients, 50 had a contralateral limb decompressed for a total of 208 limbs included in the study. Outcomes included visual analog scale (VAS) for pain in the 109 patients who had pain level greater than 8.0, measurement of the cutaneous pressure threshold for sensibility, self-reported change in pain medication usage, and self-reported change in balance. RESULTS: With a minimum follow-up of 1 year, 88% of patients with preoperative numbness reported improvement in sensation (P < 0.001). Of the 84 patients with impaired balance, 81% reported improvement in balance. Of those whose VAS was greater than 8, 83% reported an improvement in VAS (P < 0.001). There was a concomitant reduction in pain medication usage. There was no difference in outcomes between patients with diabetic versus idiopathic neuropathy in response to nerve decompression. CONCLUSIONS: Neurolysis of lower extremity chronic nerve compressions in patients with neuropathy and superimposed nerve compressions is an effective method for relieving pain, restoring sensation, and improving balance.

Medical Subject Headings

Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Chronic Disease; Decompression, Surgical; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 (complications); Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (complications); Diabetic Neuropathies (complications); Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hypesthesia (etiology); Male; Middle Aged; Nerve Compression Syndromes (etiology, surgery); Pain Measurement; Peroneal Neuropathies (etiology, surgery); Postural Balance; Retrospective Studies; Self Report; Tibial Neuropathy (etiology, surgery); Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

Publication Date

6-1-2013

Publication Title

Annals of plastic surgery

E-ISSN

1536-3708

Volume

70

Issue

6

First Page

675

Last Page

9

PubMed ID

23673565

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1097/SAP.0b013e3182764fb0

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