Choosing the target wisely: partial tibial nerve transfer to extensor digitorum motor branches with simultaneous posterior tibial tendon transfer. Could this be a way to improve functional outcome and gait biomechanics?

Surgical management of peroneal nerve injuries

BACKGROUND

Traumatic peroneal nerve injuries are typically associated with high-energy injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographics and outcomes following surgical management of peroneal nerve injuries.

METHODS

Patients evaluated at a single institution with peroneal nerve injuries between 2001 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Mechanism of injury, time to surgery, pre- and postoperative examinations, and operative reports were recorded. Satisfactory outcome, defined as the ability to achieve anti-gravity dorsiflexion strength or stronger following surgery, was compared between nerve grafting and nerve transfers in patients with at least 9 months of postoperative follow-up.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients had follow-up greater than 9 months after surgery, with an average follow-up of 3.8 years. Surgeries included neurolysis (n=5), direct repair (n=2), tibial motor nerve fascicle transfer to the anterior tibialis motor branch (n=18), or interposition nerve grafting using sural nerve autograft (n=12). At last follow-up, 59.5% (n=22) of patients had anti-gravity strength or stronger dorsiflexion. Nineteen (51.4%) patients used an ankle-foot orthosis during all or some activities. In patients that underwent nerve grafting only across the peroneal nerve defect, 44.4% (n=4) were able to achieve anti-gravity strength or stronger dorsiflexion. In patients that had a tibial nerve fascicle transfer to the tibialis anterior motor branch of the peroneal nerve, 42.9% (n=6) were able to achieve anti-gravity strength or stronger dorsiflexion at last follow-up. There was no statistical difference between nerve transfers and nerve grafting in postoperative dorsiflexion strength (p = 0.51).

CONCLUSION

Peroneal nerve injuries frequently occur in the setting of knee dislocations and similar high-energy injuries. Nerve surgery is not universally successful in restoration of ankle dorsiflexion, with one-third of patients requiring an ankle-foot orthosis at mid-term follow-up. Patients should be properly counseled on the treatment challenges and variable outcomes following peroneal nerve injuries.

Treatment approach to isolated common peroneal nerve palsy by mechanism of injury: Systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participants' data

BACKGROUND

We reviewed the individual participant data of patients who sustained isolated common peroneal nerve (CPN) injuries resulting in foot drop. Functional results were compared between eight interventions for CPN palsies to determine step-wise treatment approaches for the underlying mechanisms of nerve injury.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL databases were searched. PRISMA-IPD and Cochrane guidelines were followed in the data search. Eligible patients sustained isolated CPN injuries resulting in their foot drop. Patients were stratified by mechanisms of nerve injury, ages, duration of motor symptoms, and nerve defect/zone of injury sizes, and were compared by functional results (poor = 0, fair = 1, good = 2, excellent = 3), using meta-regression between interventions. Interventions evaluated were primary neurorrhaphy, neurolysis, nerve grafts, partial nerve transfer, neuromusculotendinous transfer, tendon transfer, ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), and arthrodesis.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-four studies included 1284 patients published from 1985 through 2020. Transection/Cut: Excellent functional results following tendon transfer (OR: 126, 95%CI: 6.9, 2279.7, p=0.001), compared to AFO. Rupture/Avulsion: Excellent functional results following tendon transfer (OR: 73985359, 95%CI: 73985359, 73985359, p<0.001), nerve graft (OR: 4465917, 95%CI: 1288542, 15478276, p<0.001), and neuromusculotendinous transfer (OR: 42277348, 95%CI: 3001397, 595514030, p<0.001), compared to AFO. Traction/Stretch: Good functional results following tendon transfer (OR: 4.1, 95%CI: 1.17, 14.38, p=0.028), compared to AFO. Entrapment: Excellent functional results following neurolysis (OR: 4.6, 95%CI: 1.3, 16.6, p=0.019), compared to AFO.

CONCLUSIONS

Functional results may be optimized for treatments by the mechanism of nerve injury. Transection/Cut and Traction/Stretch had the best functional results following tendon transfer. Rupture/Avulsion had the best functional results following tendon transfer, nerve graft, or neuromusculotendinous transfer. Entrapment had the best functional results following neurolysis.

[Effectiveness of tibialis posterior tendon transfer for foot drop secondary to peroneal nerve palsy]

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of tibialis posterior tendon transfer for foot drop secondary to peroneal nerve palsy.

Methods

The clinical data of 21 patients with unilateral foot drop secondary to peroneal nerve palsy between October 2009 and September 2016 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 9 females with an average age of 32.1 years (range, 23-47 years). The causes of peroneal nerve injury were iatrogenic injury in 7 cases, tibiofibular fractures combined with compartment syndrome in 5 cases, nerve exploration surgery after stab or cut injury in 3 cases, direct violence in 4 cases, and the fibular head fracture in 2 cases. The average time from injury to operation was 5.6 years (range, 2-8 years). There was 1 case of hallux valgus and 5 cases of toe flexion contracture. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot scores, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) scores, range of motion (ROM), and dorsiflexion strength of ankle joint were used to evaluated the ankle function. Radiographic evaluation for the changes of postoperative foot alignment included Meary angle, calcaneal pitch angle, and hindfoot alignment angle.

Results

All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 18-42 months (mean, 30.2 months). The dorsiflexion strength of ankle joint recovered from grade 0 to grade 3-4 after operation. There was no patient with a postoperative flat foot deformity and claw toe during follow-up. There was no significant difference in Meary angle, calcaneal pitch angle, and hindfoot alignment angle between pre- and post-operation ( P>0.05). The AOFAS score, FAAM score, and ROM of dorsiflexion significantly improved at last follow-up when compared with preoperative values ( P<0.05); while there was no significant difference in ROM of plantar-flexion between pre- and post-operation ( t=4.239, P=0.158). There were significant differences in AOFAS score, FAAM score, and ROM of dorsiflexion between affected and healthy sides ( P<0.05); but no significant difference in ROM of plantar-flexion was found ( t=2.319, P=0.538).

Conclusion

Tibialis posterior tendon transfer is an effective surgical option for foot drop secondary to peroneal nerve palsy. And no postoperative flat foot deformity occurred at short-term follow-up.