Treatment for Peroneal Nerve Injury
Prevention and Early Management
- The American Society of Anesthesiologists recommends specific padding to prevent pressure of hard surfaces against the peroneal nerve at the fibular head to decrease the risk of peroneal neuropathy 2, 4, 3
- The American Society of Anesthesiologists suggests avoiding prolonged pressure on the peroneal nerve at the fibular head during positioning for procedures 3, 5
- A simple postoperative assessment of extremity nerve function should be performed for early recognition of peripheral neuropathies, as recommended by the American Society of Anesthesiologists 2, 4, 6
- Inappropriate use of padding, such as padding too tight, should be avoided as it may paradoxically increase the risk of neuropathy, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists 2, 3, 5
Conservative Treatment
- The British Journal of Sports Medicine recommends functional treatment focusing on proprioception, muscle response time, and muscle strength for mild peroneal nerve injuries 1
- Supervised exercises targeting proprioception, strength, coordination, and function should be initiated to lead to faster recovery, as suggested by the British Journal of Sports Medicine 1
- The use of a brace and immediate functional treatment can speed up return to work or activities, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine 1
Prognostic Factors
- Early detection and intervention are associated with better outcomes, as recommended by the American Society of Anesthesiologists 2, 6
Rehabilitation and Follow-up
- Rehabilitation should focus on proprioception, strength, coordination, and functional exercises, as recommended by the British Journal of Sports Medicine 1