Unusual entrapment symptomatology treated in 115 cases by neurolysis of the common fibular nerve at the fibular head combined with neurolysis of the posterior tibial nerve at the tarsal tunnel.

INTRODUCTION

Entrapment of the common fibular nerve (CFN) at the head of the fibula and entrapment of the posterior tibial nerve (PTN) at the tarsal tunnel are the most common nerve entrapment syndromes in the lower limb. Our aim was to study the results of combined neurolysis of the CFN and PTN for chronic lower limb pain. We hypothesized that combined neurolysis allowed a reduction of this chronic pain.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: This bi-centric retrospective study took place from January 2015 to November 2018, with a single senior surgeon. The inclusion criteria were all patients operated on for an idiopathic entrapment syndrome with neurolysis of the PTN at the tarsal tunnel, combined with neurolysis of the CFN at the head of the fibula. The primary endpoint was the pain evolution assessed on a numerical analogue scale (NAS) preoperatively and postoperatively on D+21, and at the last follow-up. The secondary endpoint was to determine the prognostic factors on the clinical outcome of neurolysis.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifteen neurolysis were included, comprising 64 women and 38 men with a mean age of 57±17.6 years. The preoperative pain (NAS0) was evaluated at 6±2.4 points. At D+21 postoperatively, there was a significant reduction in pain (NASD+21: 3±2.6 points, p<0.01). Similarly, at the last follow-up (with a mean follow-up of 37±8.4 months), there was a significant reduction in pain (NASLFU: 2±2.5, p<0.01). A history of systemic inflammatory disease was the only factor associated with a less significant decrease in pain at D+21, according to a multivariate analysis (p<0.01). There were 14 complications (12%) not requiring revision surgery.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to demonstrate the efficacy of combined neurolysis of the CFN at the head of the fibula and the PTN at the tarsal tunnel, in the treatment of idiopathic nerve entrapment syndrome of the lower limb.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; Retrospective comparative study.