Abstract
Category:
Ankle; Midfoot/Forefoot; Trauma; Other
Introduction/Purpose:
Peripheral nerve injury or entrapment is a common complication following surgery in the foot and ankle region. The superficial peroneal nerve is particularly at risk following ankle arthroscopy and lateral approaches to the ankle or fibula. Symptoms can result in intense pain and significant disability for patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the outcomes of superficial peroneal nerve neurolysis and neurectomy.
Methods:
All patients were identified who underwent operative treatment by two foot and ankle specialists for superficial peroneal nerve related pain. Exclusion criteria included patients under the age of 18, prisoners, those who underwent concomitant osseous procedures, and less than 6-week follow-up. Demographic data, baseline outcomes including FFI, SF-36, FAAM, and VAS were recorded. Final follow-up questionnaires using PROMIS measures and FAAM were administered using REDCap.
Results:
55 patients were included in this study with a mean age of 43.0 years (IQR, 33.0-48.0). At a median follow-upof 6.8 months (IQR 1.2-20.2 months), VAS improved from a median of 9.0 (IQR 6.0-9.0) preoperatively to 2.0 (IQR 0.00-5.0) after surgery, p < 0.05. Patients reported a median VAS improvement of 4.0 (IQR 2.0-7.0). At final follow-up patients reported PROMIS lower extremity function score median of 58.6 (IQR 45.2-58.6), PROMIS neuropathic pain quality score of 42.9 (IQR 37.2-55.5), and PROMIS pain interference of 50.5 (IQR 41.1-57.0). Worker's compensation claims were independently associated with significantly poorer post-operative function measured using FAAM ADL (58.58 WC vs 74.86 non-WC, p<0.02) and higher post- operative VAS scores (4.46 WC vs 2.36 non-WC, p<0.01). ). Patients with current or recent tobacco use within 3 months leading up to surgery reported significantly higher post-operative VAS pain scores compared to nonsmokers (4.54 vs 2.47, p<0.02).
Conclusion:
Neurectomy or neurolysis has potential to significantly improve somatic pain for entrapment or neuroma formation of the superficial peroneal nerve. Tobacco use as well as worker's compensation claims were associated with significantly poorer outcomes. Further studies are needed to optimize perioperative management and surgical techniques for these patients.