Clinical orthopaedics and related research
-
Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Nov 1997
ReviewUpdate on nerve palsy associated with total hip replacement.
Nerve palsy is an uncommon but acknowledged complication of total hip replacement. The overall prevalence is approximately 1%. The sciatic nerve, or the peroneal division of the sciatic nerve, is involved in nearly 80% of cases. ⋯ Approximately 15% have a poor outcome characterized by weakness that limits ambulation and/or persistent dysesthesia. Patients with some motor function immediately after the operation and those who recover some motor function within approximately 2 weeks of surgery have a good prognosis for recovery. In general, recovery of femoral nerve palsies is more predictable than that of sciatic palsies.