title: Neurological complications of ankle arthroscopy.
abstract: A retrospective review of the first 612 patients undergoing consecutive ankle arthroscopy in the practices of two experienced arthroscopists was under-taken. All inpatient records, outpatient charts, and operative reports were reviewed. Indications for surgery included pain, swelling, locking, and instability that failed to respond to nonoperative management. The results of our investigation revealed an overall complication rate of 9.0% (55 complications). There were 27 neurological complications (4.4% of all arthroscopies) accounting for 49.1% of the complications noted. Specifically, the superficial peroneal nerve was injured in 15 cases, the sural nerve in 6, the saphenous nerve in 5, and the deep peroneal nerve in 1. All nerve injuries occurred through direct injury by portal or distractor pin placement. No cases of neurological injury caused by tourniquet compression or compartment syndrome were seen. Also, 1 case of reflex sympathetic dystrophy was identified.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Ferkel
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Heath
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Guhl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000294:innervation* / Q000601:surgery; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries*; D016896:Treatment Outcome