TY - JOUR
T1 - Superficial Peroneal Nerve Laceration and Repair in the Setting of a Bosworth Fracture
T2 - A Case Report
AU - Black, Natalie R.
AU - Troutman, Taylor
AU - Goodwin, Margaret A.
AU - Chen, Jie
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2024/8/5
Y1 - 2024/8/5
N2 - The superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) is at increased risk of injury in the setting of ankle fractures. We report a case of SPN laceration in the setting of a Bosworth fracture that likely occurred as the fibula became entrapped behind the tibia upon initial injury, pulling the SPN posterior and resulting in a traction tear. Radiographic evaluation performed when the patient presented to the emergency department demonstrated a Bosworth fracture, widening of the medial clear space, and posterior ankle dislocation. Closed reduction was attempted. Although the fibula remained entrapped behind the tibia, the talus was successfully reduced, and a short leg splint was applied. Fracture fixation and acute, direct repair of the nerve were completed during operative fixation 15 days from the initial injury, following the resolution of soft tissue swelling. The patient reported a complete return of sensation in SPN distribution 2 weeks postoperatively. Radiography showed an anatomically reduced ankle with hardware intact and in place. At 1-year followup, SPN sensation remained intact, radiography ultimately indicated a healed fracture site, and the patient reported that she was able to ambulate without pain. Our case provides support for acute, direct repair of SPN lacerations in concomitant Bosworth fractures.
AB - The superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) is at increased risk of injury in the setting of ankle fractures. We report a case of SPN laceration in the setting of a Bosworth fracture that likely occurred as the fibula became entrapped behind the tibia upon initial injury, pulling the SPN posterior and resulting in a traction tear. Radiographic evaluation performed when the patient presented to the emergency department demonstrated a Bosworth fracture, widening of the medial clear space, and posterior ankle dislocation. Closed reduction was attempted. Although the fibula remained entrapped behind the tibia, the talus was successfully reduced, and a short leg splint was applied. Fracture fixation and acute, direct repair of the nerve were completed during operative fixation 15 days from the initial injury, following the resolution of soft tissue swelling. The patient reported a complete return of sensation in SPN distribution 2 weeks postoperatively. Radiography showed an anatomically reduced ankle with hardware intact and in place. At 1-year followup, SPN sensation remained intact, radiography ultimately indicated a healed fracture site, and the patient reported that she was able to ambulate without pain. Our case provides support for acute, direct repair of SPN lacerations in concomitant Bosworth fractures.
KW - Ankle fractures
KW - nerve injuries
KW - nerve repair
KW - peroneal nerve
KW - superficial peroneal nerve laceration
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85200745254&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85200745254&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/BTF.0000000000000427
DO - 10.1097/BTF.0000000000000427
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85200745254
SN - 1536-0644
VL - 23
SP - 208
EP - 212
JO - Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery
JF - Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery
IS - 4
ER -