Bilateral peroneal nerve palsy after simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty. Report of a case with rheumatoid arthritis

In this study, we report on a 46-year-old female patient with bilateral sev ere gonarthrosis due to rheumatoid arthritis. Simultaneous bilateral cement ed total knee arthroplasty was performed. Bilateral common peroneal nerve p alsy was observed on the second postoperative day. The electromyographic di agnosis was "bilateral axonotmesis". Complete clinical and electromyographi c motor recoveries were seen on both sides within 6 months postoperatively. The sensorial deficit was still present on one side at 2 years postoperati vely. Preoperative severe flexion contracture and epidural anesthesia were assumed as the risk factors for the development of the nerve palsy in this patient.