Saphenous nerve entrapment

Surfer's neurapraxia - an uncommon surfing injury of the saphenous nerve

Surfer's neurapraxia is a rare surfing injury of the saphenous nerve secondary to persistent compression of the saphenous nerve along the medial thigh by the surfboard when paddling prone and while sitting upright on the board waiting for a wave. Symptoms may be nonspecific and consist of pain in the medial thigh with or without radiation along the saphenous nerve distribution (medial leg, medial ankle, medial arch of the foot). The saphenous nerve tension test can be utilized to reproduce the symptoms of surfer's neurapraxia. Treatment consists of conservative management while refractory cases may benefit from injection with local anesthetic. The authors propose the Obana Plan (WATER) for prevention of surfer's neurapraxia, consisting of Wetsuits, Abduction, Timing, Exercise, and Rest. Overall, surfer's neurapraxia is a benign condition that can be prevented and managed conservatively.

Anatomical basis for ultrasound-guided infiltration of the saphenous nerve in the subsartorial canal

The present work is aimed studying the visibility and position of the vasto-adductor membrane with ultrasonography and demonstrating that injection performed under this membrane allows to infiltrate the saphenous nerve. It was analyzed with ultrasonography in four cadaveric subjects and in 13 volunteers. This membrane was clearly visible and methylene blue was located underneath it after injection in all cadaveric subjects. This study demonstrates that it can be used as a reliable anatomic landmark when performing an injection for both regional anesthesia and in the treatment of saphenous nerve tunnel syndrome.

Saphenous Nerve Entrapment Neuropathy After Closed Tibial Fracture: A Case Report

CASE

A 43-year-old man who underwent intramedullary nailing for a closed tibial fracture developed saphenous nerve entrapment neuropathy. He developed severe medial leg pain, which was worse on walking or standing, 2 years postoperatively. Surgical neurolysis resulted in complete pain relief and functional recovery of the limb without recurrence of symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should consider several etiologies in the diagnostic evaluation of a patient with chronic pain after limb trauma. If a patient complains of lower extremity pain after intramedullary fixation of closed fractures of the tibial shaft, the possibility of saphenous nerve entrapment neuropathy should be considered.

Periarticular regional analgesia in total knee arthroplasty: a review of the neuroanatomy and injection technique

Postoperative pain control after total knee arthroplasty may be insufficient, resulting in insomnia, antalgic ambulation, and difficulty with rehabilitation. Current strategies, including the use of femoral nerve catheters, may control pain but have been associated with falls, motor blockade, and quadriceps inhibition. Periarticular infiltration using the appropriate technique and knowledge of intraarticular knee anatomy may increase pain control and maximize rehabilitation.

Conservative management of a saphenous nerve entrapment in a female ultra-marathon runner

Entrapment of the saphenous nerve is a frequently overlooked cause of medial knee pain. Delayed or misdiagnosis is a result of a lack of detailed reporting of the vastoadductor membrane, and by direct visualization of the entrapment only being accomplished at the time of surgical decompression. To date there are no documented conservative interventions discussed in the literature. This is a case of diagnosis and conservative resolution of a spontaneous saphenous nerve entrapment in a competitive female ultra-marathon runner. In-office Active Release Technique(®) combined with an at-home rehabilitative exercise program relieved the patient's subjective pain and paresthesia with two treatments provided over a one week period of time.

Compression and entrapment neuropathies

Peripheral nerve entrapments are frequent. They usually appear in anatomical tunnels such as the carpal tunnel. Nerve compressions may be due to external pressure such as the fibular nerve at the fibular head. Malignant or benign tumors may also damage the nerve. For each nerve from the upper and lower limbs, detailed clinical, electrophysiological, imaging, and therapeutic aspects are described. In the upper limbs, carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar neuropathy at the elbow are the most frequent manifestations; the radial nerve is less frequently involved. Other nerves may occasionally be damaged and these are described also. In the lower limbs, the fibular nerve is most frequently involved, usually at the fibular head by external compression. Other nerves may also be involved and are therefore described. The clinical and electrophysiological examination are very important for the diagnosis, but imaging is also of great use. Treatments available for each nerve disease are discussed.

Saphenous neuritis: a poorly understood cause of medial knee pain

Saphenous neuritis is a painful condition caused by either irritation or compression at the adductor canal or elsewhere along the course of the saphenous nerve. The condition also may be associated with surgical or nonsurgical trauma to the nerve, especially at the medial or anterior aspect of the knee. Saphenous neuritis can imitate other pathology around the knee, particularly a medial meniscal tear or osteoarthritis. Unrecognized saphenous neuritis can confuse the patient's clinical picture, complicate treatment, and compromise results. As an isolated entity, saphenous neuritis may appear in conjunction with other common problems, such as osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, and it can have an indolent and protracted course. Its clinical appearance is characterized by allodynia along the course of the saphenous nerve. The diagnosis is confirmed by relief of symptoms after injection of the affected area with local anesthetic. Initial treatment can include non-surgical symptomatic care, treatment of associated pathology, and diagnostic or therapeutic injections of local anesthetic. In recalcitrant cases, surgical decompression and neurectomy are potential options. The key to treatment is prompt recognition; palpation of the saphenous nerve should be part of every routine examination of the knee.