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Ultrasound assessment of the sural nerve in patients with neuropathic pain after ankle surgery
Author(s) -
Rbia Nadia,
Nijhuis Tim H.J.,
Roukema Gert R.,
Selles Ruud W.,
van der Vlies Cornelis H.,
Hovius Steven E.R.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.25744
Subject(s) - medicine , sural nerve , ankle , surgery , asymptomatic , nerve injury , neuropathic pain , anesthesia
ABSTRACT Introduction: The sural nerve may be damaged after ankle injury. The aim of our study was to determine the diagnostic utility of high‐resolution sonography in patients with ankle fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation in whom there was a clinical suspicion of sural neuropathy. Methods: We examined the ultrasound (US) characteristics of patients with and without postsurgical sural neuropathic pain and healthy volunteers. Cross‐sectional area (CSA), echogenicity, and vascularization of the sural nerves were recorded. Results: Fourteen participants and all sural nerves were identified. CSA ( P < 0.001) and vascularization ( P = 0.002) were increased in symptomatic patients when compared with asymptomatic patients and healthy volunteers. There were no significant differences in nerve echogenicity ( P = 0.983). Discussion: US may be a valuable tool for evaluating clinically suspected sural nerve damage after ankle stabilization surgery. Sural nerve abnormalities are seen in patients with postsurgical neuropathic pain. Muscle Nerve 57 : 407–413, 2018