Neuropathy of the peroneal nerve as a complication after total knee arthroplasty: characteristics of rehabilitation

Abstract

Knee arthroplasty is recognized as the gold standard in the treatment of stage IIIIV degenerative diseases and the consequences of traumatic injuries. The number of surgeries is growing, and the number of complications after considered interventions is growing as well. Frequency of peripheral nerve neuropathies is not high, but damage to the peroneal nerve after total arthroplasty of the knee joint can lead to severe dysfunction of the lower limb, decrease in daily activity and the patients quality of life. The article analyzes the treatment results of 254 patients after primary and secondary knee arthroplasty. Signs of damage to the peroneal nerve upon admission to the second stage of rehabilitation were identified in 3.9% of cases. The clinical and functional examination performed in dynamics showed that the presence of neuropathy of the peroneal nerve aggravated the severity of the existing functional disorders in patients after knee arthroplasty. It has been established that complex intensive rehabilitation treatment, which should begin immediately after the diagnosis is made and be carried out intermittently for at least six months, restore the function of the affected nerve in 75% of cases.