Published in:
01-08-2018 | Review Article
A review of main anatomical and sonographic features of subcutaneous nerve injuries related to orthopedic surgery
Authors:
Anne Causeret, Isabelle Ract, Jérémy Jouan, Thierry Dreano, Mickaël Ropars, Raphaël Guillin
Published in:
Skeletal Radiology
|
Issue 8/2018
Login to get access
Abstract
Lesion to subcutaneous nerves is a well-known risk of orthopedic surgery and a significant cause of postoperative pain and dissatisfaction in patients. High-resolution ultrasound can be used to visualize the vast majority of small subcutaneous nerves of the upper and lower limbs. Ultrasound detects nerve abnormalities such as focal hypoechoic thickening, stump neuroma, and scar encasement, and provides information not only about the peripheral nerve itself but also about its relationship to adjacent anatomical structures. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the anatomy of the main subcutaneous nerves damaged during orthopedic surgery, recall at-risk procedures, and offer useful anatomic landmarks to help the sonographer identify and follow the nerves when an iatrogenic lesion is suspected.