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Adult Reconstruction
intermediate
X-Type

THA Neurovascular Injury - Sciatic Nerve and Femoral Artery

THA Complications

A 70-year-old woman undergoes primary THA via posterior approach. In the recovery room, she is noted to have a complete foot drop with inability to dorsiflex the ankle or extend the toes. Sensation is absent over the dorsum of the foot and lateral calf. The hip appears stable and leg lengths equal. Distal pulses are palpable. Regarding sciatic nerve injury after THA:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

The sciatic nerve is most commonly injured during THA, occurring in 0.5-2% of primary procedures and...

B

Mechanisms of sciatic nerve injury include direct trauma (retractor placement, cement extrusion, scr...

C

All sciatic nerve palsies after THA require immediate surgical exploration regardless of mechanism; ...

D

Initial management includes flexing the knee to relax the sciatic nerve, removing any constrictive d...

E

Prognosis for recovery depends on mechanism and severity; traction neuropraxia has the best prognosi...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option