ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate prognosis and causative factors of the peroneal nerve palsy that occurred after total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 1994 till Feb. 2002, we performed 637 cases(449 patients) of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Among them we experienced 9 cases(9 patients,1.4%) of peroneal nerve palsy postoperatively. For evaluation of suggestive causes of peroneal nerve palsy, we compared these paralytic group with the control group (628 cases: 440 patients) which has no peroneal nerve palsy after TKA. We analyzed basic patients factors including age, sex, body weight, preoperative diagnosis, and preoperative degree of flexion contracture and tibiofemoral angle, intraoperative tourniquet time, preoperative functional knee scores (HSS and TKSCRS). RESULTS: Eight cases were recovered completely within 12 months after TKA. A case has no change in 1 and 1/2 years after operation so we considered it as a permanent damage. There were no statistical differences between two groups. CONCLUSION: Almost all cases of peroneal nerve palsy were completely recovered spontaneously within 12 months after operation and within 6 months, clinincal sign of improvement was appeared. Until now, we couldn't find any definite causes of peroneal nerve palsy after TKA, so its causes would be multifactorial and further studies may be necessary.