A Study Of Lateral Skin Paresthesia After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Objective: Lateral skin flap Paresthesia is a common complication of total knee arthroplasty;however,few studies have looked specifically at this problem.Methods: A consecutive selection of 26 patients undergoing minimally invasive TKA were included.31 knees were assessed for lateral skin flap numbness,with follow-up evaluation at 3 months and 2years.Results: All patients had sensory disturbance around the knee but only very few of them had a significant problem.The area of Paresthesia of all patients were visualized in one averagely shaped knee.Photoshop CS4 was used to highlight relevant zone and make renditions.Conclusion: Our data suggest that the location of the IPBSN and the cutaneous nerves originating from the anterior and medial cutaneous branches of the femoral nerve is responsible for this problem.We conclude that the area of Paresthesia can be reduced by a shorter anterolateral or midline incision,even a transverse incision,which preserves the IPBSN and branches of other cutaneous nerves around the knee as soon as possible.