Neuropraxia in Hip Arthroscopy: Analysis of the Causes and Postoperative Clinical Impact

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63403/re.v32i1.376

Keywords:

Neuropraxia, Hip Arthroscopy, Traction, Rehabilitation

Abstract

Introduction: the incidence of neuropraxia ranges between 1.4% and 5% in the literature, but the suspicion is that there is an underreporting. The aim of the following study was to determine the incidence of complications of hip arthroscopy and their impact on the clinical course of patients.

Material and methods: during 2018 to 2023, 40 hip arthroscopies were performed in the same center and with the same surgical team, 34 males and 6 females with an average age of 32.7 years (18-56). Data was collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively. Number of neuropraxias, traction time, resolution time and the contribution of complementary studies were analyzed. The HOS (Hip outcome score) was used, completed by telephone.

Results: in this series, there were three male patients with complete femoral nerve paralysis and one with a sciatic nerve paralysis (10%), one patient had numbness in the external popliteal sciatic nerve territory, and five cases had an area of anesthesia in the lateral femoral-cutaneous region (25% had sensitive affection in all). The resolution time of femoral neuropraxias with complete motor deficit was three to twelve weeks. The hip score gave an average of 89.7 (60 to 100) corroborated at six months postoperatively. Sensitive affections took more than four months to reduce and disappear.

Conclusion: the most serious injuries were male patients who did not require more traction time, probably related to physical build or joint hypolaxity. Complementary studies were not of great help in decision making. Neuropraxia did not impact clinical and functional results at the end of rehabilitation.

Level of evidence: IV

References

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Published

2025-04-01

How to Cite

1.
Nally F, Pedernera JI, Vottola CB. Neuropraxia in Hip Arthroscopy: Analysis of the Causes and Postoperative Clinical Impact. RELART [Internet]. 2025 Apr. 1 [cited 2026 Feb. 12];32(1):55-60. Available from: https://revistarelart.com/index.php/revista/article/view/376

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Original article