Clinical orthopaedics and related research
-
Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Dec 1997
Neurologic injury in the upper extremity after total hip arthroplasty.
The results of 7150 consecutive primary and revision total hip arthroplasties performed between 1976 and 1990 were reviewed retrospectively. Sixteen upper extremity neurologic palsies were identified in 16 patients. The incidence of upper extremity nerve palsies after total hip arthroplasty was 0.22%. ⋯ Patients with the preoperative diagnosis of an inflammatory arthropathy are at greater risk for experiencing upper extremity neurologic injury. The prognosis is favorable, with 88% of patients having complete recovery. Cautious induction of anesthesia and careful attention to patient positioning in the perioperative, intraoperative, and postoperative period are essential to help minimize the incidence of neurologic injuries in the upper extremity after total hip arthroplasty.