Natural history of sensory nerve recovery after cutaneous nerve injury following foot and ankle surgery

摘要

Cutaneous nerve injury is the most common complication following foot and ankle surgery. However, clinical studies including long-term follow-up data after cutaneous nerve injury of the foot and ankle are lacking. In the current retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical data of 279 patients who underwent foot and ankle surgery. Subjects who suffered from apparent paresthesia in the cutaneous sensory nerve area after surgery were included in the study. Pa-tients received oral vitamin B12 and methylcobalamin. We examined ifnal follow-up data of 17 patients, including seven with sural nerve injury, ifve with superifcial peroneal nerve injury, and ifve with plantar medial cutaneous nerve injury. We assessed nerve sensory function using the Medical Research Council Scale. Follow-up immediately, at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 9 months, and 1 year after surgery demonstrated that sensory function was gradually restored in most patients within 6 months. However, recovery was slow at 9 months. There was no signiifcant difference in sensory function between 9 months and 1 year after surgery. Painful neuromas occurred in four patients at 9 months to 1 year. The results demonstrated that the recovery of sensory func-tion in patients with various cutaneous nerve injuries after foot and ankle surgery required at least 6 months.