Transient peroneal nerve palsies from injuries placed in traction splints.
Two patients thought to have distal femur fractures presented to the emergency department (ED) of a level 1 trauma center with traction splints applied to their lower extremities. Both patients had varying degrees of peroneal nerve palsies. Neither patient sustained a fracture, but both had a lateral collateral ligament injury and one an associated anterior cruciate ligament tear. One patient had a sensory and motor block, while the other had loss of sensation on the dorsum of his foot. After removal of the traction splint both regained peroneal nerve function within 6 hours. Although assessment of ligamentous knee injuries are not a priority in the trauma setting, clinicians should be aware of this possible complication in a patient with a lateral soft tissue injury to the knee who is placed in a traction splint that is not indicated for immobilization of this type of injury.
Mihalko
W M
WM
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA.
Rohrbacher
B
B
McGrath
B
B
D000328:Adult; D004630:Emergencies; D004867:Equipment Design; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010243:Paralysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D011859:Radiography; D013165:Splints