Is preoperative tibial traction responsible for peroneal nerve palsy in patients with a fractured hip?
A study of 456 cervical hip fractures treated with internal fixation was performed to evaluate the incidence of paralysis of the peroneal nerve following hip-fracture treatment. There were no cases of peroneal nerve paralysis in a group of 206 patient treated with a dynamic hip screw without preoperative traction. There were 2 cases of peroneal nerve paralysis in a group of 250 patients treated with 3 parallel screws with preoperative skeletal traction via a tibia pin. This difference was not significant according to Fischer's test (two-tailed P value = 0.5036). We conclude that the incidence of paralysis of the peroneal nerve following hip-fracture treatment is low although preoperative skeletal traction with the injured leg positioned in a Böhler-Braun splint may contribute to this complication.
Levi
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Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010243:Paralysis; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000473:pathology*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013165:Splints; D014143:Traction / Q000009:adverse effects*