THA NEUROVASCULAR INJURY
Prevention-First | Recognition Patterns | Salvage Techniques
Injury Classification
Critical Must-Knows
- Sciatic nerve: 80% of nerve injuries, peroneal division affected more than tibial
- Risk factors: developmental dysplasia, revision surgery, lengthening over 4cm, posterior approach
- Clinical signs: immediate foot drop (peroneal), calf pain with ankle plantarflexion (vascular)
- Management: immediate component removal if lengthening over 4cm with nerve palsy
- Prognosis: 40-70% recovery with neuropraxia, poor recovery with complete nerve division
Examiner's Pearls
- "Always check limb length intraoperatively before final component insertion
- "Sciatic nerve most at risk with posterior approach; femoral nerve with anterior approach
- "Vascular injury may present with delayed compartment syndrome (24-48 hours)
- "Early exploration (within 72 hours) improves nerve recovery outcomes
Critical THA Neurovascular Injury Exam Points
High-Risk Scenarios
Developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH) requires meticulous planning. Sciatic nerve at risk with inferior hip centre placement and limb lengthening. Femoral nerve vulnerable with anterior retractors.
Immediate Recognition
Post-anaesthesia examination is critical. Test foot dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, and toe movements immediately. Check distal pulses and capillary refill bilaterally.
Prevention Strategy
Limit limb lengthening to under 4cm. Use intraoperative fluoroscopy to verify leg lengths. Position sciatic nerve under direct vision in posterior approaches.
Time-Critical Management
72-hour window for nerve exploration. Early decompression improves outcomes. Vascular injury requires immediate consultation and surgical intervention.
Quick Decision Guide - Neurovascular Injury Recognition and Management
| Clinical Scenario | Diagnosis | Immediate Action | Key Pearl |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate foot drop post-THA, sensory loss dorsum of foot | Sciatic nerve injury (peroneal division) | Document deficit, check leg length, consider revision if over 4cm lengthening | Recovery likely if neuropraxia, document baseline EMG at 3 weeks |
| Complete sciatic palsy with severe pain, no motor function | Probable neurotmesis or vascular compromise | Urgent vascular assessment, MRI/USS, early surgical exploration within 72h | Time to decompression critical for nerve recovery |
| Absent distal pulses, cold limb, compartment syndrome signs | Vascular injury with ischaemia | Immediate vascular surgery consult, duplex USS, prepare for exploration | Arterial injury may present with delayed compartment syndrome |
| Anterior thigh numbness, weak hip flexion/knee extension | Femoral nerve injury (anterior approach complication) | Remove anterior retractors, document deficit, observe initially | Usually neuropraxia from retractor pressure, recovers over weeks |
SPIDERSciatic Nerve Anatomy at Hip
Memory Hook:The sciatic nerve is a SPIDER web of danger - runs posteriorly through the notch, divisions at risk with retraction and lengthening!
REVISERisk Factors for Nerve Injury in THA
Memory Hook:REVISE your surgical plan when these risk factors are present - prevention is key to avoiding nerve complications!
PALSYSigns of Sciatic Nerve Injury
Memory Hook:Sciatic PALSY primarily affects the peroneal division - foot drop is the hallmark, recovery takes years if axons are damaged!
Overview and Epidemiology
Neurovascular complications remain among the most feared and devastating complications of total hip arthroplasty. Despite being relatively uncommon, the profound impact on patient function and quality of life makes prevention and early recognition paramount.
Why This Topic Matters
Nerve and vascular injuries can result in permanent disability, litigation, and patient dissatisfaction. Understanding the anatomy, risk factors, and prevention strategies is essential for safe THA practice. This is a high-yield exam topic as examiners want to ensure trainees can identify at-risk patients and manage complications appropriately.
Nerve Injury Epidemiology
- Sciatic nerve: 80% of all nerve injuries
- Peroneal division: affected more than tibial (lateral position, less connective tissue support)
- Femoral nerve: 10-15% of nerve injuries, associated with anterior approach
- Superior gluteal nerve: 5% of injuries, abductor weakness
- Recovery rate: 40-70% for neuropraxia, under 20% for complete transection
Vascular Injury Patterns
- External iliac artery: most commonly injured vessel
- Common femoral artery: at risk with anterior approach
- Superior/inferior gluteal vessels: posterior approach risks
- Presentation: immediate bleeding, delayed pseudoaneurysm, AVF
- Mortality risk: 5-10% with major vascular injury
Anatomy and Biomechanics
Sciatic Nerve Anatomy
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, formed from the L4-S3 nerve roots. Understanding its anatomical course and relationships is critical for THA prevention strategies.
Critical Distance Relationships
The sciatic nerve exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic notch, passing beneath the piriformis muscle in 85% of individuals. At the level of the hip joint, the nerve lies 2-3cm posterior to the posterior acetabular rim. This distance is critical - excessive posterior wall reaming, retractor placement, or cement extrusion can directly injure the nerve.
| Anatomical Structure | Course at Hip Level | Injury Mechanism | Clinical Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sciatic nerve (peroneal division) | Lateral and posterior to tibial division, 2-3cm behind acetabulum | Limb lengthening over 4cm, direct trauma, retractor compression | Foot drop, numbness dorsum of foot, poor recovery if axonotmesis |
| Sciatic nerve (tibial division) | Medial division, more connective tissue support | Less commonly injured, usually with complete sciatic injury | Calf weakness, sole numbness, better prognosis than peroneal |
| Femoral nerve | Anterior to hip, beneath inguinal ligament lateral to femoral artery | Anterior retractor compression, haematoma, cement extravasation | Weak quadriceps, anterior thigh numbness, often neuropraxia |
| Superior gluteal nerve | Exits above piriformis, innervates gluteus medius and minimus | Excessive superior dissection, retractor trauma during exposure | Trendelenburg gait, abductor weakness, often unrecognised |
Vascular Anatomy
Arterial Supply at Risk
External iliac artery runs along pelvic brim, at risk with:
- Medial acetabular screw penetration
- Intrapelvic cement extravasation
- Anterior retractor overzealous placement
Common femoral artery vulnerable with:
- Anterior approach direct injury
- Femoral neck osteotomy saw injury
- Femoral canal perforation anteriorly
Venous Drainage
External iliac vein most commonly injured vessel:
- Thinner wall than artery, easily torn
- Presents with bleeding, haematoma formation
- May cause delayed DVT if unrecognised
Gluteal vessels at risk with posterior approach:
- Bleeding controlled with packing usually
- Pseudoaneurysm rare but reported
Classification Systems
Patient-Related Risk Factors
| Risk Factor | Mechanism | Risk Increase | Prevention Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH) | High hip centre requires inferior placement, sciatic nerve on stretch | Up to 10 times higher risk | Subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy if lengthening over 4cm planned |
| Revision THA | Scarring distorts anatomy, nerve encased in scar tissue | 5-10 times higher risk than primary | Careful dissection, consider nerve monitoring, limit lengthening |
| Post-traumatic arthritis | Altered anatomy from previous fracture, retained hardware | 3-5 times higher risk | Pre-operative CT imaging to plan approach and identify nerve course |
| Previous nerve injury | Reduced nerve tolerance to stretch, scarring around nerve | Variable, may be permanent deficit | EMG/NCS pre-operatively to document baseline, avoid further trauma |
DDH and Nerve Injury Risk
In Crowe IV DDH (femoral head above roof level), the sciatic nerve is often significantly shortened due to chronic hip dislocation. Reducing the hip to anatomical centre without femoral shortening can result in over 5-6cm of limb lengthening and near-certain nerve palsy. Always plan for subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy in these cases.
Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
Immediate Post-Operative Examination
The single most important step in diagnosing neurovascular injury is a systematic post-anaesthesia examination before the patient leaves the operating theatre.
Post-Operative Neurovascular Assessment Protocol
Before leaving theatre, assess:
- Foot dorsiflexion (peroneal division of sciatic nerve)
- Foot plantarflexion (tibial division)
- Toe extension and flexion
- Hip flexion and knee extension (femoral nerve)
- Distal pulses (dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial)
- Capillary refill bilaterally
- Compare to pre-operative baseline if documented
Document findings in medical record:
- Motor power (0-5 MRC scale)
- Sensory examination (light touch, pinprick)
- Vascular status (pulses, temperature, colour)
- Compare to contralateral limb
- Any change from pre-operative baseline
If deficit identified:
- Inform supervising consultant immediately
- Check leg length differential (clinical and radiographic)
- Review intraoperative notes for risk factors
- Consider urgent imaging if vascular concern
- Initiate management algorithm
The Missed Diagnosis
Failure to perform immediate post-operative neurovascular examination is the most common reason for delayed diagnosis of nerve injury. Patients emerging from anaesthesia may not recognise or report subtle motor or sensory deficits. A missed nerve injury in the immediate post-operative period becomes far more difficult to prove causation and manage appropriately.
Clinical Patterns by Nerve
| Nerve Injured | Motor Deficit | Sensory Loss | Special Signs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sciatic (complete) | Foot drop, no ankle movement, toe paralysis | Entire foot below ankle numb except medial ankle | High-stepping gait, foot slap when walking |
| Sciatic (peroneal division) | Foot drop, weak ankle eversion, toe extension loss | Dorsum of foot and lateral leg numb | Most common pattern, foot drop immediately evident |
| Sciatic (tibial division) | Weak plantarflexion, toe flexion loss, ankle inversion weak | Sole of foot numb, sensory loss calf posteriorly | Less common, patient may still walk but with abnormal gait |
| Femoral nerve | Weak hip flexion, unable to extend knee, quadriceps wasting | Anterior thigh and medial leg numbness | Unable to straight leg raise, knee buckles with weight bearing |
Vascular Injury Recognition
Immediate Presentation
Acute vascular injury presents with:
- Absent or diminished distal pulses
- Cold, pale limb compared to contralateral
- Expanding haematoma in wound or thigh
- Hypotension if significant blood loss
- Pain out of proportion (compartment syndrome developing)
Delayed Presentation
Delayed vascular complications:
- Pseudoaneurysm (pulsatile mass, bruit)
- Arteriovenous fistula (continuous thrill)
- Compartment syndrome (24-48 hours post-op)
- DVT from venous injury
- Heterotopic ossification from haematoma
Investigations
Initial Investigations
Investigation Pathway for Suspected Nerve Injury
Bedside examination:
- Systematic motor and sensory testing
- Document deficit with MRC grading
- Measure leg lengths clinically
- Assess for compartment syndrome signs
Plain radiographs (AP pelvis, lateral hip):
- Component position and orientation
- Limb length discrepancy measurement
- Femoral offset restoration
- Cement extrusion medially
- Acetabular screws penetrating medial wall
Electromyography and nerve conduction studies:
- Distinguish neuropraxia from axonotmesis
- Baseline for monitoring recovery
- Localise level of injury
- Guide prognosis discussions
MRI pelvis/hip (if surgical exploration planned):
- Nerve compression from haematoma or cement
- Assess nerve continuity
- Rule out space-occupying lesion
CT angiography (if vascular injury suspected):
- Active extravasation
- Pseudoaneurysm
- Arteriovenous fistula
Vascular Investigation Protocol
Arterial Injury Investigation
Immediate (within 1 hour):
- Duplex ultrasound (bedside) to assess flow
- Ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) - compare to contralateral
- Compartment pressure measurement if clinical concern
Urgent (within 6 hours):
- CT angiography (gold standard) - defines level and extent of injury
- Conventional angiography if intervention planned
Management decision:
- ABPI under 0.5 = urgent vascular surgery consultation
- Hard signs of vascular injury = immediate theatre for exploration
- Soft signs = close observation with serial ABPI and duplex
Hard signs requiring immediate exploration include absent pulses, expanding haematoma, pulsatile bleeding, and limb ischaemia.
Timing of EMG/NCS
Q: When should you perform baseline EMG/NCS after suspected nerve injury? A: 3 weeks post-injury. Earlier EMG is unhelpful as Wallerian degeneration takes 2-3 weeks to develop. Performing EMG at 3 weeks establishes baseline severity, allows distinction between neuropraxia and axonotmesis, and provides prognostic information. Repeat studies at 3 months and 6 months monitor recovery trajectory.
Management Algorithm
Nerve Injury Management Algorithm
Immediate Management (0-24 hours):
First 24 Hours
- Document deficit completely (motor, sensory)
- Review intraoperative events
- Measure leg length radiographically
- Assess severity: complete vs partial palsy
- If limb lengthening over 4cm AND complete palsy → urgent revision
- If cement extrusion compressing nerve → urgent revision
- If haematoma causing compression → urgent evacuation
- If neuropraxia likely (partial deficit, no lengthening) → observation
Criteria for urgent component removal:
- Limb lengthening over 4cm with complete sciatic palsy
- Progressive deficit (was partial, now complete)
- Severe pain suggesting nerve compression
- Vascular compromise accompanying nerve injury
If observation chosen, close neurovascular monitoring is essential.
Observation Protocol (if no immediate revision):
- Daily neurovascular examination
- Foot drop splint (ankle-foot orthosis) to prevent contractures
- Physiotherapy for passive range of motion
- EMG/NCS at 3 weeks
- Re-assess at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Critical 72-Hour Window
If nerve injury fails to improve by 72 hours, or worsens, consider surgical exploration. Early nerve decompression (within 72 hours) has been shown to improve recovery rates. Beyond 72 hours, the benefit of exploration diminishes unless there is clear evidence of compressive pathology.
Surgical Technique - Prevention Strategies
Prevention is far superior to management. This section outlines specific intraoperative techniques to minimise neurovascular injury risk.
Patient Positioning and Setup
Positioning for Nerve Protection
Standard positioning:
- Lateral position, affected side up
- Lower limb flexed at hip and knee for stability
- Upper limb (operative) free to move through range
- Pelvic posts anterior and posterior to stabilise pelvis
Nerve protection:
- Avoid excessive flexion at hip (over 90 degrees) - increases sciatic nerve tension
- Avoid extreme internal rotation - stretches sciatic nerve
- Position operative limb in 20-30 degrees flexion, neutral rotation at rest
Standard positioning:
- Supine on radiolucent table
- Operative leg on extension attachment
- Perineal post for countertraction
Nerve protection:
- Limit hip extension beyond neutral (femoral nerve stretch)
- Release anterior retractors every 15-20 minutes
- Avoid excessive lateral translation of femoral shaft (femoral nerve compression)
Proper positioning sets the foundation for safe exposure and reduces baseline nerve tension throughout the case.
Complications
Beyond the primary nerve and vascular injuries, several secondary complications can arise from neurovascular injury or its management.
| Complication | Incidence | Risk Factors | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent nerve palsy | 20-60% of nerve injuries have residual deficit | Complete transection, delayed diagnosis, axonotmesis | AFO splint, tendon transfer (tibialis posterior to dorsum), arthrodesis |
| Chronic neuropathic pain | 30-40% of patients with nerve injury | Incomplete recovery, neuroma formation | Neuropathic pain medications (gabapentin, pregabalin), pain clinic referral |
| Compartment syndrome | 5-10% of vascular injuries | Delayed presentation, haematoma, reperfusion injury | Immediate fasciotomy all four compartments, may require amputation if delayed |
| Pseudoaneurysm | Under 1% of THAs, more common in revision | Arterial wall injury with contained rupture | Endovascular coiling or open repair, risk of rupture if untreated |
| Deep infection | Increased with haematoma and revision surgery | Large haematoma, compromised soft tissues, multiple surgeries | Irrigation and debridement, antibiotic suppression, may require implant removal |
| Heterotopic ossification | Up to 20% with large haematoma | Soft tissue trauma, haematoma, re-operation | Prophylaxis with indomethacin or radiation, excision if symptomatic at 1 year |
The Medicolegal Landscape
Nerve injury after THA is a common source of litigation. Key factors in defensibility:
- Documentation: Pre-operative documentation of baseline neurovascular exam
- Informed consent: Specific discussion of nerve injury risk (especially in high-risk cases)
- Intraoperative measurement: Document leg length measurement before closing
- Immediate recognition: Post-operative neurovascular exam documented in recovery room
- Appropriate management: Timely revision or observation with clear rationale documented
Failure in any of these areas significantly weakens the medicolegal position.
Postoperative Care and Rehabilitation
Immediate Post-Operative Management (0-48 hours)
First 48 Hours Care
- Neurovascular examination before leaving OR
- Document baseline neurological status
- Check leg lengths radiographically (AP pelvis)
- Ensure distal pulses present and documented
- Pain management protocol initiated
- Neurovascular checks every 4 hours for first 24 hours
- Monitor for compartment syndrome signs (pain, paraesthesia, pressure)
- Drain output monitoring (excessive bleeding may indicate vascular injury)
- Weight bearing as per protocol (protected if nerve injury suspected)
- Physiotherapy assessment for gait and transfers
- If foot drop present: AFO splint fitted
- Passive range of motion exercises to prevent contractures
- Continue neurovascular observations if deficit present
Early recognition and appropriate initial management set the foundation for optimal recovery outcomes.
Outcomes and Prognosis
Recovery Patterns by Injury Severity
| Injury Type | Recovery Timeline | Expected Outcome | Prognostic Factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuropraxia (conduction block) | Days to weeks, complete by 3 months | Full recovery in 70-90% of cases | Early signs of recovery (within 6 weeks) predict full recovery |
| Axonotmesis (axon damage) | Months to years, 1mm per day regeneration | Partial recovery in 40-60%, significant functional deficit common | Proximal injuries (at hip) have worse prognosis than distal (below knee) |
| Neurotmesis (complete division) | No spontaneous recovery expected | Poor outcome despite repair, under 10% useful function | Surgical repair within 72 hours improves outcomes slightly |
Functional Outcomes After Nerve Injury
Factors Predicting Good Recovery
- Partial deficit at presentation (incomplete nerve injury)
- Early improvement (within 6 weeks suggests neuropraxia)
- Young patient (better neuronal regeneration capacity)
- No lengthening (injury from transient compression, not traction)
- Isolated peroneal division (less disability than complete sciatic)
Factors Predicting Poor Recovery
- Complete palsy from time of surgery (suggests neurotmesis)
- Limb lengthening over 4cm (traction injury, poor prognosis)
- No improvement by 6 months (unlikely to recover significantly)
- Elderly patient (reduced regeneration capacity)
- Complete sciatic nerve injury (severe functional impairment)
Counselling Patients on Prognosis
When counselling patients with nerve injury post-THA:
Initial conversation (first week): "We have identified a nerve injury affecting your foot movement. The majority of these injuries recover over time, though it may take many months. We will monitor closely with nerve studies at 3 weeks and 3 months."
If no recovery by 3 months: "Unfortunately, your nerve injury appears to be more severe than we initially hoped. While some continued recovery is possible over the next 12-18 months, we need to discuss adaptive strategies including ankle braces and the possibility of future tendon transfer surgery if recovery plateaus."
At 12-18 months if no recovery: "Based on the lack of significant improvement, we do not expect further spontaneous recovery. We should discuss secondary procedures such as tendon transfer or ankle fusion to improve your function and quality of life."
Honest, staged discussions aligned with recovery trajectory maintain trust and set realistic expectations.
Evidence Base and Key Studies
Sciatic Nerve Palsy After Total Hip Arthroplasty: Mayo Clinic Experience
- Retrospective review of 3,126 primary THAs, 0.7% nerve palsy rate
- Risk factors: DDH (5.2% incidence), revision surgery (3.2%), lengthening over 4cm (7.6%)
- Complete palsy: only 28% recovered fully, 44% had no recovery
- Partial palsy: 68% recovered fully
- Early exploration (within 1 week) improved recovery in compression injuries
Vascular Injury in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Review of the Scottish Arthroplasty Project Database
- 5,606 THAs analysed, 0.25% vascular injury rate
- External iliac artery most commonly injured (60% of vascular injuries)
- Mortality rate from vascular injury: 9%
- Acetabular protrusio and revision surgery were significant risk factors
- Delayed presentation (pseudoaneurysm) occurred in 30% of vascular injuries
Results of Revision for Sciatic Nerve Palsy After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty
- 27 patients with sciatic nerve palsy after THA, 21 underwent revision surgery
- Revision within 72 hours: 62% good recovery
- Revision after 1 week: 33% good recovery
- Component removal alone (without nerve exploration) sufficient if due to lengthening
- Direct nerve repair rarely indicated, decompression alone usually adequate
Prevention of Sciatic Nerve Injury in Total Hip Arthroplasty: Intraoperative Somatosensory Evoked Potential Monitoring
- Prospective study of 43 high-risk THAs with SSEP monitoring
- SSEP changes detected in 9 patients (21%) during surgery
- All SSEP changes reversed with intervention (component adjustment, retractor release)
- No nerve palsies in monitored group vs 3.7% in historical controls
- SSEP most sensitive to lengthening and retractor compression
Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) - Nerve Injury Data
- Nerve injury rate in primary THA: 0.5% (consistent with international data)
- Revision THA nerve injury rate: 2.1% (four-fold increase)
- DDH diagnosis associated with 3.6 times higher nerve injury risk
- Posterior approach: 0.6% nerve injury; anterior approach: 0.3% (statistically significant)
- No difference in nerve injury rates between cemented and uncemented implants
Exam Viva Scenarios
Practice these scenarios to excel in your viva examination
Scenario 1: Immediate Post-Operative Foot Drop (2-3 min)
"You have just completed a primary THA via posterior approach for severe secondary osteoarthritis in a 55-year-old man. The anaesthetist calls you to recovery as the patient is unable to dorsiflex his right foot. What is your assessment and management?"
Scenario 2: DDH THA Planning with High Dislocation (3-4 min)
"You are planning a THA for a 42-year-old woman with Crowe IV developmental dysplasia of the hip. The hip is dislocated 8cm superiorly. Walk me through your approach to minimising nerve injury risk."
Scenario 3: Delayed Vascular Complication (2-3 min)
"A 68-year-old man underwent revision THA for aseptic loosening 6 weeks ago. He presents to the emergency department with a painful, pulsatile mass in his groin. Examination reveals a 4cm pulsatile swelling with a bruit. Distal pulses are present. What is your diagnosis and management?"
MCQ Practice Points
Nerve Anatomy Question
Q: The sciatic nerve at the level of the hip joint runs approximately how far posterior to the posterior acetabular rim? A: 2-3cm posterior. This distance is critical for safe posterior approach. The nerve exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic notch beneath the piriformis muscle and runs posterior to the acetabulum protected by the short external rotators. Excessive posterior wall reaming, retractor placement directly posterior, or cement extrusion can directly injure the nerve at this level.
Risk Factor Question
Q: What is the single strongest modifiable risk factor for sciatic nerve palsy after THA? A: Limb lengthening over 4cm. Multiple studies demonstrate exponential increase in nerve injury risk beyond 4cm lengthening. This is modifiable through careful templating, intraoperative measurement, and femoral shortening osteotomy when indicated. Other risk factors like DDH diagnosis and revision surgery are not modifiable, but lengthening can be controlled by surgical technique.
Diagnosis Question
Q: When is the optimal timing for baseline EMG/NCS after suspected nerve injury? A: 3 weeks post-injury. Wallerian degeneration takes 2-3 weeks to develop, so earlier EMG is unhelpful. At 3 weeks, EMG can distinguish neuropraxia (no denervation changes) from axonotmesis (fibrillation potentials, positive sharp waves). Repeat studies at 3 months and 6 months monitor recovery trajectory and guide prognosis.
Management Question
Q: What is the indication for urgent revision surgery in immediate post-operative sciatic nerve palsy? A: Limb lengthening over 4cm with complete sciatic palsy. This combination indicates traction injury that is unlikely to recover without removing the cause of traction. Component revision to reduce leg length to under 4cm differential should be performed urgently (within 24-72 hours). Partial palsies with less than 4cm lengthening can be observed initially with close monitoring.
Prognosis Question
Q: What is the expected recovery rate for neuropraxia after THA? A: 70-90% full recovery. Neuropraxia is a temporary conduction block without structural nerve damage. Recovery typically occurs over days to weeks (maximum 3 months). If no recovery by 3 months, the injury was likely more severe than neuropraxia (axonotmesis or neurotmesis), and prognosis worsens significantly. Early signs of recovery within 6 weeks are a positive prognostic indicator.
Vascular Injury Question
Q: Which vessel is most commonly injured during THA and what is the typical mechanism? A: External iliac artery, injured by medial acetabular screw penetration or cement extrusion. The external iliac artery runs along the pelvic brim just medial to the acetabulum. In acetabular protrusio repair or revision with medial wall defects, screws or cement can penetrate the thin medial wall and directly injure the vessel. This may present immediately with bleeding or in delayed fashion as pseudoaneurysm. Pre-operative CT to measure medial wall thickness and intraoperative fluoroscopy during screw insertion reduce this risk.
Australian Context and Medicolegal Considerations
AOANJRR Data on Nerve Injury
Australian registry findings:
- Overall nerve injury rate: 0.5% primary THA, 2.1% revision THA
- Higher rates in DDH diagnosis (3.6 times baseline risk)
- Posterior approach: 0.6% vs anterior approach: 0.3%
- No difference between cemented and uncemented implants
- Recovery data: 60% recover fully, 30% partial recovery, 10% no recovery
These Australian-specific data inform consent discussions and risk stratification.
Australian Guidelines
ACSQHC (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care):
- Informed consent must include specific discussion of nerve injury risk
- Documentation of pre-operative neurovascular examination is required
- Post-operative neurovascular examination should be documented within 24 hours
- Incident reporting for all nerve injuries (even if temporary)
- Root cause analysis for permanent nerve injuries
Medicolegal Considerations in Australia
Key documentation requirements for defensible practice:
-
Pre-operative documentation:
- Baseline neurovascular examination documented in medical record
- Pre-operative leg length measurement or apparent LLD noted
- Specific consent discussion documented if high-risk case (DDH, revision, protrusio)
-
Intraoperative documentation:
- Approach used and any anatomical difficulties encountered
- Leg length measurement technique and result (pin-to-pin, fluoroscopy)
- Final leg length differential documented before closure
- Any intraoperative concerns about nerve or vascular structures
-
Post-operative documentation:
- Neurovascular examination in recovery room before patient leaves theatre
- Motor power graded (0-5 MRC scale) for foot dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, toe movements
- Sensory examination of foot and leg dermatomes
- Vascular status (pulses, capillary refill, temperature)
- Documentation of normal findings is as important as abnormal
-
Management documentation:
- If deficit identified: rationale for revision vs observation clearly stated
- Timing of any intervention and reason for timing
- Patient counselling about injury, prognosis, and treatment plan
- Follow-up plan including EMG timing and specialist referrals
Common litigation issues in Australia:
- Failure to document pre-operative neurological examination
- Excessive limb lengthening (over 4cm) without documented consent discussion
- Delayed recognition of nerve injury (no post-operative examination)
- Failure to revise when indicated (over 4cm lengthening with complete palsy)
- Inadequate informed consent discussion in high-risk cases
Australian legal precedents emphasise that nerve injury itself is a recognised complication and not necessarily negligent, but failure to recognise, document, or appropriately manage the injury can constitute negligence.
Australian Hospital Systems and Pathways
Public Hospital Pathway
Acute nerve injury management:
- Immediate consultant orthopaedic review
- Neurology or neurosurgery consult if unclear diagnosis
- Access to EMG/NCS typically 2-4 weeks wait in public system
- Physiotherapy and AFO fitting usually available same admission
- Follow-up in public arthroplasty clinic at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Private Hospital Pathway
Private practice considerations:
- Immediate access to EMG/NCS if available in private rooms
- Direct neurology referral for complex cases
- Patient may need transfer to public system for complex vascular intervention
- Private physiotherapy and orthotist services for AFO
- Closer follow-up schedule often possible in private practice
THA NEUROVASCULAR INJURY
High-Yield Exam Summary
Key Anatomy
- •Sciatic nerve: 2-3cm posterior to acetabular rim, exits below piriformis in 85%
- •Peroneal division: lateral and more vulnerable, less connective tissue support
- •Femoral nerve: lies lateral to femoral artery beneath inguinal ligament
- •External iliac artery: runs along pelvic brim, at risk with medial screws/cement
Injury Classification
- •Neuropraxia: conduction block, recovers weeks-months (70-90% full recovery)
- •Axonotmesis: axon disruption, 1mm/day regeneration (40-60% partial recovery)
- •Neurotmesis: complete transection, poor prognosis (under 10% recovery)
- •Distinguish with EMG at 3 weeks (Wallerian degeneration takes 2-3 weeks)
Risk Factors and Prevention
- •Lengthening over 4cm: strongest modifiable risk factor (limit with shortening osteotomy)
- •DDH: 3-10x higher risk, plan subtrochanteric shortening if Crowe III-IV
- •Revision THA: 5-10x higher risk than primary, careful dissection essential
- •Posterior approach: visualise nerve, blunt retractors medially, release every 20 min
Recognition and Diagnosis
- •Post-anaesthesia exam MANDATORY: test foot dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, toe movements
- •Sciatic (peroneal): foot drop, dorsum foot numbness (80% of nerve injuries)
- •Femoral nerve: weak quadriceps, anterior thigh numbness (anterior approach)
- •EMG/NCS at 3 weeks baseline, repeat at 3 and 6 months to monitor recovery
Management Algorithm
- •Lengthening over 4cm + complete palsy = urgent revision within 24-72h
- •Lengthening under 4cm + partial palsy = observe with AFO, close monitoring
- •Vascular injury (absent pulses, cold limb) = immediate vascular surgery consult
- •No recovery by 6 months = consider secondary procedures (tendon transfer at 12-18 months)
Key Evidence and Prognosis
- •Schmalzried 1991: lengthening over 4cm = 7.6% nerve injury rate
- •Eggli 1999: revision within 72h improves recovery (62% vs 33% good outcomes)
- •AOANJRR 2023: 0.5% primary THA, 2.1% revision THA nerve injury rates
- •Recovery timeline: neuropraxia 3 months, axonotmesis 24-36 months maximum