Lumbar Plexus Research Articles

Effect of Unintended Tissue Injury on the Development of Thigh Symptoms After Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Patients With Adult Spinal Deformity: A Retrospective Case Series.

A retrospective case series. This study aimed to investigate the effects of lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF)-induced unintended tissue damage, including cage subsidence, cage malposition, and hematoma in the psoas major muscle, on the development of thigh symptoms. Thigh symptoms are the most frequent complications after LLIF and are assumed to be caused by lumbar plexus compression and/or direct injury to the psoas major muscle. However, the causes and risk factors of thigh symptoms are yet to be fully understood. Adult patients with spinal deformity who underwent two-stage surgery using LLIF and a posterior open fusion for the first and second stages, respectively, were included. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were routinely performed after LLIF before posterior surgery to investigate cage subsidence, cage malposition, and hematoma in the psoas muscle. We evaluated the development of thigh symptoms after LLIF and examined the effects of tissue injury on the occurrence of thigh symptoms. The differences in demographics and surgical and tissue damage parameters were compared between the groups with and without thigh symptoms using unpaired t tests and chi-squared tests. Factors associated with the development of thigh symptoms and muscle weakness were also assessed using logistic regression analysis. Overall, 130 patients [17 men and 113 women; mean age, 68.7 (range, 47-84)] were included. Thigh symptoms were observed in 52 (40.0%) patients, including muscle weakness and contralateral side symptoms in 20 (15.4%) and 9 (17.3%) patients, respectively. The factors significantly associated with thigh symptoms identified after multiple logistic regression analysis included hematoma (odds ratio: 2.27, 95% CI, 1.03-5.01) and approach from the right side (odds ratio: 2.64, 95% CI, 1.21-5.75). The presence of cage malposition was the only significant factor associated with muscle weakness (odds ratio: 4.12, 95% CI, 1.37-12.4). We found unintended tissue injury during LLIF was associated with thigh symptoms. We found that hematoma in the psoas major muscle and cage malposition were the factors associated with thigh symptoms and muscle weakness, respectively.

Elimination of Lumbar Plexus Injury by Changing the Entry Point and Traction Direction of the Psoas Major Muscle in Transpsoas Lateral Lumbar Spine Surgery.

Background and Objectives: The lateral approach is commonly used for anterior column reconstruction, indirect decompression, and fusion in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases and spinal deformities. However, intraoperative lumbar plexus injury may occur. This is a retrospective comparative study to investigate and compare neurological complications between the conventional lateral approach and a modified lateral approach at L4/5. Materials and Methods: Patients with a lumbar degenerative disease requiring single-level intervertebral fusion at L4/5 were included and categorized into group X and group A. Patients in group X underwent conventional extreme lateral interbody fusion, while those in group A underwent a modified surgical procedure that included splitting of the anterior third of the psoas muscle, which was dilated by the retractor on the anterior third of the intervertebral disc. The incidence of lumbar plexus injury, defined as a decrease of ≥1 grade on manual muscle testing of hip flexors and knee extensors and sensory impairment of the thigh for ≥3 weeks, on the approach side, was investigated. Results: Each group comprised 50 patients. No significant between-group differences in age, sex, body mass index, and approach side were observed. There was a significant between-group difference in intraoperative neuromonitoring stimulation value (13.1 ± 5.4 mA in group X vs. 18.5 ± 2.3 mA in group A, p < 0.001). The incidence of neurological complications was significantly higher in group X than in group A (10.0% vs. 0.0%, respectively, p < 0.05). Conclusions: In our modified procedure, the anterior third of the psoas muscle was entered and split, and the intervertebral disc could be reached without damaging the lumbar plexus. When performing lumbar surgery using the lateral approach, lumbar plexus injury can be avoided by following surgical indication criteria based on the location of the lumbar plexus with respect to the psoas muscle and changing the transpsoas approach to the intervertebral disc.

Anatomy of the lumbar and sacral plexuses and lower limb peripheral neuropathies

Anatomy of the lumbar and sacral plexuses and lower limb peripheral neuropathies

Comparative study lumbar plexus block and lumbar erector spinae plane block for postoperative pain relief after proximal femoral nail for proximal femoral fractures.

The clinical outcomes (time to ambulation, length of stay, and home discharge) after proximal femoral nail (PFN) for proximal femoral fractures (PFF) is dependent on successful pain management. Currently, the lumbar erector spinae plane block (LESPB) is in vogue and is associated with favorable outcomes in the postoperative period. Our study aimed to evaluate whether a LESPB provided equivalent analgesia and clinical outcomes as compared to LPB in PFN for PFF. We compared LPBs [L] with LESPBs [E], with 30 patients in each group, performed from June 2020 to June 2021 for PFN in PFF's. The primary outcome of this study was the average NRS pain scores over 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included pain scores at different time points over 24 hours, opioid consumption between the groups at 24 hours postoperatively, time for request of first parenteral analgesia, quadriceps weakness and adverse events. The average pain scores over 24 hours were better in the LESPB group as compared to the LPB group (p = 0.02). Further, only n = 5 (30%) of patients in the LESPB group required opioids, while n = 13 (43.333%) of patients in the LPB group required opioids. Moreover, the median time for request of first parenteral analgesia was 615 (480-975) minutes, weakness of quadriceps function occurred in 2 patients in the L group, which recovered at 3rd and 5th month, respectively, with no incidences of hemodynamic instability and respiratory complications. This trial demonstrated that single bolus LESPB is superior to LPB in terms of analgesic outcomes, has low adverse events, and is an agreeable substitute for patients with PFF undergoing a PFN.

Use of Wiltse approach in lumbar plexus schwannoma: A technical note.

Lumbar plexus schwannomas are a rare occurrence in neurosurgery, with few reported cases and no standard surgical approach. This study describes a successful surgical resection with no complications using the Wiltse approach. Patient presented with an intra-psoas tumor suggesting schwannoma. We described the surgical technique involved step by step. The patient recovered from the surgery with no complications. The anatomopathological examination confirmed the schwannoma diagnosis. The post operatory magnetic resonance imaging showed complete resection. This study shows that the use of Wiltse approach, mainly used for classical herniated disc extraforaminal, can be used successfully on Lumbar plexus schwannomas.

Position of lumbar plexus nerves in the psoas major: Application to transpsoas approaches to the lumbar spine.

Far lateral interbody fusion is a minimally invasive operating technique. However, the incidence of postoperative neurological complications is high, and some scholars question its safety. This study describes the neuroanatomical features and spatial orientation within the psoas major. Ten embalmed male cadavers were selected and the left psoas major was dissected. Subsequently, the area between the anterior and the posterior edges of the vertebral body was divided into three equal zones. The nerves' distribution, number, and spatial orientation of the L1/2 to L4/5 intervertebral discs were examined. A caliper was used to measure the diameter of the nerve. The safety zone of the L1/2 intervertebral disc level is located in zone I and II, the relative safe zones of the L2/3 and L4/5 intervertebral discs are located in zone II, and the safety zone of the L3/4 intervertebral disc level is located in the caudal side of zone II. The genitofemoral nerve exits the psoas major in a co-trunk or two-branch pattern, and its exit point was distributed between the L3 and L4 vertebral bodies, mainly at the L3/4 intervertebral disc level. The sympathetic ganglia in the psoas major appeared only in zone I at the L2/3 intervertebral disc level. This is a systematic anatomical study that describes the nerves of the psoas major. Spine surgeons can use this study-which consists of important clinical implications-for preoperative planning, and thus, reduce the risk of nerve injury during surgery.

Importance of fasting abbreviation and analgesia in the satisfaction and recovery of elderly patients with hip and femur fractures. retrospective study with 1,001 patients

Background and objectives: There are several ways to assess patient satisfaction, as it is a standard indicator of the quality of care provided. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the abbreviation of fasting with 200 ml CHO, the intake of the same beverage in the PACU, the return to oral feeding in the ward, and postoperative analgesia can improve comfort and satisfaction with anesthesia in elderly patients. with hip and femur fracture. Methods: A retrospective trial carried out in a Brazilian public health hospital (SUS), with 1,001 patients physical status ASA I-III submitted to hip and femur fracture surgery. The following items were evaluated: preoperative fasting time, evaluation of thirst and hunger upon arrival in the operating room, time of CHO administration in the PACU, time of reintroduction of oral feeding in the ward, and at this moment, the degree of satisfaction with the anesthetic conduct, abbreviation of fasting and early feeding. A satisfaction assessment was performed with YES and NO answers regarding the pre-anesthetic visit, the fasting abbreviation, the use of CHO in PACU, refeeding in the ward, and postoperative analgesia. Family members were also asked to return immediately to the ward, without intravenous hydration and without going through the ICU. Results: All patients had the fasting abbreviation between 1:20 h and 4:00 h. None of the 1,001 patients reported being thirsty when they arrived in the operating room, against only 26 patients reporting being hungry. The time of administration of dextrinomaltose in PACU ranged from 20 minutes to 5:45 h, and the reintroduction of oral feeding in the ward ranged from 4 h to 8:15 h. Analgesia with lumbar plexus block with a neurostimulator and levobupivacaine before or after providing mean analgesia of 22±4 h, with a minimum time of 13 h and a maximum of 34 h. All patients were able to be discharged from the hospital on the second postoperative day. Conclusion: This study with 1,001 patients clearly shows that in hospitalized elderly, the liberal use of CHO before surgery and immediately in PACU, and better quality analgesia is an easy and practical way to increase patient comfort and satisfaction with anesthesia care and with better outcomes.

Deep posterior gluteal compartment block for regional anaesthesia of the posterior hip: a proof-of-concept pilot study.

Various regional anaesthesia approaches to branches of the anterior lumbar plexus have been proved effective in providing analgesia in hip surgery. However, some patients still experience significant residual posterior hip pain attributed to the posterior nerve supply of the hip. This not only suggests that anterior approaches may not always provide sufficient pain relief, but also that the blocking of major nerves supplying the posterior pericapsular region is needed. We present an ultrasound-guided technique to block all major nerves supplying the posterior capsule of the hip joint. The optimal target area was determined by ultrasound imaging, cross-sectional digitised anatomy, and cadaver research, and was found in the deep gluteal compartment. Furthermore, this posterior pericapsular deep-gluteal block was evaluated in two patients. The spread of dye in the cadaver was observed deep to the gluteus maximus and in between the quadratus femoris and piriformis muscles, and conformed to the presumed location during the ultrasound procedure. It included all major supplying nerves to the posterior hip capsule, that is the superior gluteal nerve, nerve to quadratus femoris and sciatic nerve. In both patients where this posterior pericapsular deep-gluteal block was applied the pain was substantially reduced (numeric rating scale: 4 to 1 and 7 to 1). We present a successful ultrasound-guided technique targeting the deep gluteal compartment to block all major nerves supplying the hip joint's posterior capsule. This posterior pericapsular deep-gluteal block can be applied as an additional block in hip surgery, with also a possible role in chronic hip pathology.

Total Spinal after Posterior Lumber Plexus Block, Case Report

Patients can undergo lower extremity surgery by using the lumbar plexus block (LPB) technique. However, compared with central block, LPB problems were complex. For lower limb procedures, psoas compartment block is a suitable regional anaesthesia approach in place of central neuraxial blockade. As a peripheral nerve block, it is considered less dangerous than a central neuraxial block. However, it might result in some severe issues. Here, we describe a rare side effect of total spinal anaesthesia following psoas compartment block guided by a peripheral nerve stimulator.

Safety and Efficacy of Combined Lumbar Plexus, Sciatic Nerve, Femoral Nerve Blocks in Failed Spinal Anaesthesia for Lower Limb Surgeries: A Prospective Clinical Study

Safety and Efficacy of Combined Lumbar Plexus, Sciatic Nerve, Femoral Nerve Blocks in Failed Spinal Anaesthesia for Lower Limb Surgeries: A Prospective Clinical Study

A new approach for ultrasound-guided lumbar plexus block: ultrasound-guided paravertebral LPB.

A new approach for ultrasound-guided lumbar plexus block: ultrasound-guided paravertebral LPB.

Variations in the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve of the Thigh in Cadavers: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (LFCN) is formed by the union of the dorsal divisions of the ventral rami of the third and fourth lumbar spinal nerves. The nerve is a sensory branch of the lumbar plexus and supplies the upper lateral aspect of the thigh. It is often trapped between the inguinal ligament and the anterior superior iliac spine, causing paraesthesia in the supplied area, known as meralgia paraesthetica. The LFCN has been shown to exhibit significant variations in formation and course, which can affect the efficacy of nerve blocks administered in the affected area. Aim: To study the variations in the formation of the LFCN in the pelvis of cadavers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Government Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan, from January 2021 to January 2023. The study involved 25 formalin-embalmed cadavers (20 male and 5 female) obtained from the anatomy departments of various medical colleges in Rajasthan. All human cadaveric specimens with well-preserved lumbar plexus, regardless of gender, were included. The lumbar plexus was dissected bilaterally, and the formation and any variations of the LFCN were observed and recorded using digital photography. The obtained data was segregated by gender and side, and Chi-square test was applied to analyse the data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Results: The LFCN originated from L2 and L3 in 47 (94%) specimens. We observed the absence of the LFCN, double LFCN, and sole origin from L2 only in 1 (2%) case each. Additionally, the origin of the LFCN from the femoral nerve was observed in one specimen. Conclusion: The variations noted in the present study would be valuable for surgeons and anaesthetists planning skin grafts and nerve blocks in the thigh area, as well as in transpsoas surgeries.

Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Hip Surgery: A Concise Perspective.

Ultrasound implementation for the facilitation of peripheral nerve blocks is well established. Ultrasound-guided lumbar plexus, femoral, fascia iliaca and supra-inguinal fascia iliaca compartment, pericapsular nerve group and quadratus lumborum nerve blocks have been employed for analgesia purposes in hip surgery. The combination of motor-sparing regional anesthesia strategies for optimal postoperative pain control with recovery protocols targeting to early and safe patients' mobilization constitute the current dogma of orthopedic surgery. Therefore, this editorial sets out to revisit the role of peripheral nerve blocks in postoperative pain management of hip surgery patients, under the prism of current orthopedic practice.

Retracted: Continuous Lumbar Plexus Block under the Guidance of the "Shamrock Method" Ultrasound: Analgesic Effects and Hemodynamic Effects after Total Knee Arthroplasty in Elderly Patients.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2021/3531236.].

Supra-inguinal Fascia Iliaca Block and the Obturator Nerve Obsession

To the Editor, Anatomic block efficacy of lumbar plexus elements is based upon the involvement of the obturator nerve. However, despite the anatomic location of the obturator nerve and improbable translocation of local anesthetic beyond the confinement of the fascia iliacus plane [1], investigators struggle to study extensively, exhaustively, and try to explicitly describe the means and mechanism to block the obturator nerve [2]. Our anatomical dissections reveal three important dissimilar fascial planes (figure 1a). The quadratus lumborum, the fascia iliaca, and the circum-psoas planes are isolated from each other with tight fascial attachments [Figure 1b], impeding the dissemination of local anaesthetic agents unless inadvertently perforating the fascia. Further exploration revealed the femoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, obturator nerves and the lumbosacral trunk emerge from the lateral and medial of the psoas muscle respectively, and exits the psoas fascia (figure 1a,1b, and 1c) to take their respective course. The obturator nerve might further arise in a separate muscular fold (Figure 1c). However, if the obturator nerve needs to be blocked, two we recommend two alternatives; We presume that with injections deep to the psoas sheath, the plausibility of involvement of all the nerves of the lumbar plexus (lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, femoral nerve, and ON) exists, as reported in a case series [3] and the obturator nerve needs to be blocked separately after a supra-inguinal fascia iliaca block.

Thoracolumbar fractures after the 2023 Türkiye earthquake and controversial mechanism of occurrence.

Earthquakes are devastating events that may severely injure the human body. The spine is one of the important parts of the human body that may be affected by earthquake trauma. The aim of this study is to focus on thoracolumbar fractures secondary to the 2023 Turkey Earthquake. The data of 15 patients who were affected by the earthquake, rescued from the rubble, and subsequently treated for spinal fractures in our department were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical, radiological, and surgical features of the patients were recorded, and the outcomes were investigated. Among the 15 patients, 12 were female, and 3 were male. Their ages ranged from 22 to 79 years. The average duration of being trapped under debris was 4.7 hours. According to the Frankel classification, 12 patients (80%) were categorized as Frankel E, 2 patients (13.3%) as Frankel A, and 1 patient (6.6%) as Frankel C. Of these patients, 6 underwent surgical treatment, while a total of 9 patients received conservative treatment. Multiple vertebral fractures were identified in 4 patients. While 3 patients with multiple fractures were treated conservatively, 1 patient underwent surgery due to an L1 fracture. All surgeries consisted of spinal canal de-compression and spinal instrumentation. Among patients without thoracolumbar junction fractures, 1 had a T8 fracture, 1 had an L4 fracture, and 1 had a sacral fracture along with an accompanying lumbar plexus injury. Thoracolumbar fractures are frequently observed after earthquakes. However, the exact mechanism of these fractures is not well known. Surgical management should be reserved for patients with progressive neurological deficits, while conservative treatment is the option for stable fractures.

Multilevel tandem spondylolisthesis associated with a reduced "safe zone" for a transpsoas lateral lumbar interbody fusion at L4–5

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) on psoas anatomy and the L4-5 safe zone during lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF). In this retrospective, single-institution analysis, patients managed for low-back pain between 2016 and 2021 were identified. Inclusion criteria were adequate lumbar MR images and radiographs. Exclusion criteria were spine trauma, infection, metastases, transitional anatomy, or prior surgery. There were three age and sex propensity-matched cohorts: 1) controls without DS; 2) patients with single-level DS (SLDS); and 3) patients with multilevel, tandem DS (TDS). Axial T2-weighted MRI was used to measure the apical (ventral) and central positions of the psoas relative to the posterior tangent line at the L4-5 disc. Lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), and PI-LL mismatch were measured on lumbar radiographs. The primary outcomes were apical and central psoas positions at L4-5, which were calculated using stepwise multivariate linear regression including demographics, spinopelvic parameters, and degree of DS. Secondary outcomes were associations between single- and multilevel DS and spinopelvic parameters, which were calculated using one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni correction for between-group comparisons. A total of 230 patients (92 without DS, 92 with SLDS, and 46 with TDS) were included. The mean age was 68.0 ± 8.9 years, and 185 patients (80.4%) were female. The mean BMI was 31.0 ± 7.1, and the mean age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (aCCI) was 4.2 ± 1.8. Age, BMI, sex, and aCCI were similar between the groups. Each increased grade of DS (no DS to SLDS to TDS) was associated with significantly increased PI (p < 0.05 for all relationships). PT, PI-LL mismatch, center psoas, and apical position were all significantly greater in the TDS group than in the no-DS and SLDS groups (p < 0.05). DS severity was independently associated with 2.4-mm (95% CI 1.1-3.8 mm) center and 2.6-mm (95% CI 1.2-3.9 mm) apical psoas anterior displacement per increased grade (increasing from no DS to SLDS to TDS). TDS represents more severe sagittal malalignment (PI-LL mismatch), pelvic compensation (PT), and changes in the psoas major muscle compared with no DS, and SLDS and is a risk factor for lumbar plexus injury during L4-5 LLIF due to a smaller safe zone.

Effects of dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine on the treatment of lumbar plexus sciatic nerve block in elderly patients with lower limb fractures

To further explore the effects of dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine in the treatment of lumbar plexus sciatic nerve block in elderly patients with lower limb fractures. 98 patients with lower limb fractures enrolled from January 2020 to January 2022 were randomly divided into the study and control groups, with 49 cases in each group. The study group received dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine for nerve block; while the control group received ropivacaine for nerve block. The anesthesia effect (duration time of onset and duration time of sensory block and motor block), heart rate, blood pressure, pain score, and adverse effects were compared between the study and control groups. Patients in the study group given dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine for lumbar plexus sciatic nerve block had a longer duration time of sensory block and motor block than the control group, showing a better anesthetic effect. The levels of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) in the study group at T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 were significantly lower than that in the control group. The pain scores of the study group was lower than that of the control group, indicating the effects of dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine on reducing pain. Besides, the study group showed an adverse reaction incidence of 4.08%, which was slightly higher than that of the control group, with an index of 2.04%, without statistically significant difference. Dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine can enhance the effect of ropivacaine block, improve the heart rate index, and reduce patients’ pain, which is one of the reliable schemes in clinical practice for lumbar plexus sciatic nerve block.

Treatment of Single Level Lumbar Spondylolisthesis with Lumbar Interbody Fusion via Oblique Lateral Approach (OLIF)

Objectives: To investigate the effect of lumbar interbody fusion via the oblique lateral approach (OLIF) in the treatment of single level lumbar spondylolisthesis. Methods: Retrospective analysis was made on 32 cases of single level lumbar spondylolisthesis treated by lumbar interbody fusion via the oblique lateral approach from July 2020 to July 2021. 14 males and 18 females; the age was (66.5 ± 11.5) years (55 - 82 years). 1) The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and complications were recorded; 2) the scores of visual analog scale. VAS and Oswestry disability index (ODI) of low back pain and lower limb pain were collected before operation and at the last follow-up; by observing the imaging data, the height of the intervertebral space, the anterior convex angle of the intervertebral space, the anterior convex angle of the lumbar spine, the sagittal diameter of the dural sac and the spondylolisthesis were measured. Results: All patients successfully completed the operation, the average operation time was (103.9 ± 21.1) min, the average intraoperative bleeding volume was (72.3 ± 16.4) ml. There was no vascular injury during the operation, no infection occurred in all surgical incisions, and Class I/A healing was achieved. The VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain before operation and at the last follow-up were lower than those before operation, and the difference was statistically significant (P the height of intervertebral foramen and the sagittal diameter of dural sac were greater than those before operation, with statistically significant differences (P than that before operation, with a statistically significant difference (P ureteral injury, retrograde ejaculation, intestinal and lumbar plexus injury. Conclusion: The early clinical effect of OLIF in the treatment of single level lumbar spondylolisthesis is significant. This surgical method is minimally invasive, safe and effective, which can significantly reduce the amount of intraoperative bleeding and reduce the risk of postoperative complications. Its main working principle is to make the annulus fibrosus, posterior longitudinal ligament and ligamentum flavum shrink and recover the height of the intervertebral space through decompression, loosening and stretching of the intervertebral space, so as to achieve the reduction of the slipped vertebral body, increase the height of the intervertebral foramen Enlarge the spinal canal volume and eliminate dynamic compression to play an indirect decompression role, improve the symptoms of low back and leg pain, and reconstruct the stability of the spine through interbody fusion.

Postoperative Lumbar Plexopathy Secondary to Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma: A Case Report

Liposarcoma is a rare malignancy that usually originates in the extremities or the retroperitoneum. The lumbar plexus, a complex neural network formed by divisions of the first four lumbar roots, penetrates the psoas muscle before it exits the pelvis. Owing to their anatomical proximity, neoplasms in the vicinity of the psoas muscle may involve the lumbar plexus. We report a case of postoperative lumbar plexopathy involving the posterior divisions of the lumbar plexus, following the resection of a recurrent retroperitoneal liposarcoma located in the dorsal aspect of the psoas muscle. A 50-year-old man visited a rehabilitation clinic for an evaluation of proximal weakness of the unilateral lower extremity after resection of a recurrent liposarcoma of the left psoas muscle. Physical examination showed weakness of left hip flexion and knee extension accompanied by sensory loss in the left anteromedial thigh and the medial lower leg. An electrophysiological study revealed left lumbar plexopathy with selective involvement of the posterior divisions of the lumbar plexus. The patient could walk independently without a walking aid on level surfaces while he underwent exercise therapy. A comprehensive evaluation, including a physical examination, the use of imaging modalities such as computed tomography for anatomical characterization, and electrophysiological studies, is important for accurate diagnosis.