title: Management outcome of peroneal nerve injury at knee level: experience of a single military institution.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the management outcome of common peroneal nerve decompression at the knee level between the years 2005 and 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty consecutive patients with knee-level peroneal nerve injury who underwent decompression surgery and external neurolysis at our institution were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively by electrophysiological studies and motor examination (Medical Research Council grading).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight of the cases were male and 2 were female. Mean age was 31.1 for males and 57.5 for females. Physical activity during military training (overstretch/contusion) was the cause of nerve lesion in the majority of the patients (n = 28, 93%). Mean time interval between the diagnosis and the surgery was 5 months. Follow-up time ranged from 3 to 48 months (mean: 14 months). Twenty-nine of 30 (97%) patients recovered totally or near totally in foot/toe dorsiflexion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early decompression and neurolysis of the common peroneal nerve (CPN) at knee level after strenuous physical activity offers excellent functional recovery. Additionally, for knee-level CPN injuries, in order to minimize the postoperative scar, pain and delay in wound healing, we strictly advocate short 'lazy S-shaped incision' around the fibular head in supine position unlike the classical extensive opening up to the superior border of the popliteal fossa in prone position.
authors: Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Ilker
authors: I
authors: Solmaz
authors: Eralp N
authors: EN
authors: Cetinalp
authors: Cüneyt
authors: C
authors: Göçmez
authors: Baki S
authors: BS
authors: Albayrak
authors: Cahit
authors: C
authors: Kural
authors: H Serdar
authors: HS
authors: Kaya
authors: H Ibrahim
authors: HI
authors: Secer
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Daneyemez
authors: Engin
authors: E
authors: Gonul
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003288:Contusions / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020427:Peroneal Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011044:Poland; D020127:Recovery of Function; D055815:Young Adult