Revisional peripheral nerve surgery.

Peripheral nerve disorders are difficult to manage. In the surgical treatment of patients with peripheral nerve pathology, there are a multitude of factors that may alter the outcome of the patient's recovery and lead to incomplete recovery or possibly worsening of symptoms. The anatomy and function of the peripheral nerve is unique and the evaluation and management of these disorders must be approached in a manner different from musculoskeletal disorders. Many anatomic areas can tolerate scar tissue and adhesions, but in peripheral nerves, loss of the gliding functional and adherence to surrounding soft tissue structures is a common complication from over-zealous dissection and repeat peripheral nerve surgery without modification of technique. The approach to each patient must be thorough and individualized to treat their specific condition, and the surgeon must be aware that at times, the most appropriate treatment for the patient may not be medical but surgical management of the chronic pain condition.

Biomechanical consequences of lateral column lengthening of the calcaneus: Part I. Long plantar ligament strain.

Lateral column lengthening of the calcaneus has been a powerful tool used to correct peritalar subluxation in symptomatic flat feet. The mechanical basis and limits for correction with this procedure are not well understood. A flatfoot model was created on 8 fresh-frozen cadaver feet by sectioning the deltoid ligament, talonavicular capsule, and spring ligament. Strain-gauge analysis of the long plantar ligament was performed (on 6 specimens) as the lateral column was sequentially lengthened from 4 to 12 mm in 2-mm increments. Results showed that only the lateral most one-third of the long plantar ligament measured positive strain during this procedure. The medial two-thirds of the long plantar ligament and plantar fascia decreased in tension and became fully lax during lengthening. Maximum tension in the long plantar ligament was measured after placing grafts 6 mm in thickness (P <.05). Larger grafts produced additional strain in the ligament, but were not significant. The authors conclude that grafts >6 mm have no additional corrective capacity without compromising the long plantar ligament. Either larger graft size or loss of the long plantar ligament could compromise the intrinsic stability of the lateral column of the foot. These findings may decrease the incidence of complications with this procedure, specifically lateral column pain, instability, and calcaneocuboid arthrosis.