• S L Papastefanou, K Stevens, and R C Mulholland.
• Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital, Notts, United Kingdom.
• Spine. 1994 Dec 15;19(24):2842-4.

Summary Of Background DataCompression neuropathy of the femoral nerve has been reported as an uncommon complication of bleeding into the iliopsoas muscle.ObjectiveThe authors detected anatomic reasons of direct injury to the femoral nerve at the lower lumbar level.MethodsKeeping the hip in extension during the course of carrying out anterior fusion on a previously failed posterior fusion was considered another causative factor of femoral nerve injury. Anatomical dissection confirmed the likelihood of this injury being produced in this situation.ResultsFemoral nerve traction and compression can occur after prolonged compression of the nerve within the psoas muscle stretched between an immobile lower lumbar spine and the lesser trochanter when the hip is kept in extension. In the patients described no other reasons for direct or indirect injury were identified.ConclusionAlthough uncommon, the complication should be kept in mind. It can be avoided by intraoperative hip flexion.

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