Perspective on Nerve Injury from Hip Arthroscopy

In my previous blog post, I had cited an article from the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgeons about a study on the relationship between traction weight and sciatic nerve injury during hip arthroscopy. In a subsequent issue of the same journal (November 21, 2012), Dr. Patrick Birmingham, MD, published a commentary on the article called “Risk of Sciatic Nerve Traction Injury During Hip Arthroscopy – Is It the Amount or Duration? An Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring Study” (by Dr. Jessica Telleria, MD).

I wanted to share the commentary with you as it provides some perspective on the topic of potential nerve injury from hip arthroscopy. Dr. Birmingham states

Traction Weight during Arthroscopic Surgery Linked to Sciatic Nerve Damage

An article in the Journal of Joint and Bone Surgery (2012, volume 94, issue 22) presented results from a study performed among 60 patients. Using nerve monitoring during surgery, the researchers studied prevalence, pattern, and predisposing factors for sciatic nerve traction injury during hip arthroscopy. Wow! A majority of patients, 58 percent, had nerve injury during the surgery and 7 percent ended up with a nerve injury after the surgery. 

The results showed that traction weight was a factor in the nerve damage.