Prolonged peroneal nerve dysfunction after high tibial osteotomy: pre- andpostoperative electrophysiological study

To evaluate electrophysiological incidence and the type of peroneal nerve l esions seen after high tibial osteotomy we conducted an electrophysiologica l study (electromyography and nerve conduction velocity studies) in 11 pati ents who were suffering from medial gonarthrosis and treated by Maquet barr el-vault type high tibial valgization osteotomy. All the patients were test ed both pre- and postoperatively. Every patient was examined postoperativel y for a minimum of a 6 months after surgery to eliminate spontaneously reve rsible lesions. Results obtained from nonoperated legs served as controls. Three patients (27%) with peroneal nerve lesions were detected electrophysi ologically; one had only motor involvement, one only sensory involvement, a nd one both motor and sensory involvement. Clinically only one of these pat ients was symptomatic, and the other two were detected by electrophysiologi cal means. Peroneal nerve lesions which may be overlooked by mild weakness and hypesthesia in the early postoperative period can be detected by electr ophysiological means at a higher rate than expected. These lesions persist a relatively long time and even can be permanent despite the absence of cli nical symptoms.