Obturator-nerve palsy resulting from intrapelvic extrusion of cement during total hip replacement. Report of four cases. 1985

J M Siliski, and R D Scott

Obturator neuropathy is an infrequently identified complication of total hip replacement that may cause debilitating pain. There have been isolated reports of this complication in the literature, but only one case has been published in which intrapelvic cement was the causative agent. We are describing the cases of four patients with obturator neuropathy after total hip replacement, documented by electromyography and attributed to intrapelvic extension of cement. In each patient the source of the symptoms was not initially apparent. In three of the patients the extruded cement and obturator nerve were explored surgically. One of the three patients was improved by obturator neurectomy. Of the other two patients, both treated by excision of cement, only one was improved. The fourth patient was not treated. Persistent pain in the groin and thigh, intrapelvic cement visible on plain roentgenograms, and adductor weakness after total hip replacement suggest that this complication has occurred. Electromyography can confirm the presence of obturator neuropathy. Based on this limited series, excision of the extruded cement and preservation of the nerve should be attempted only when the nerve is grossly normal and functional as determined by electrical stimulation at the time of surgical exploration; otherwise, obturator neurectomy should be considered.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009408 Nerve Compression Syndromes Mechanical compression of nerves or nerve roots from internal or external causes. These may result in a conduction block to nerve impulses (due to MYELIN SHEATH dysfunction) or axonal loss. The nerve and nerve sheath injuries may be caused by ISCHEMIA; INFLAMMATION; or a direct mechanical effect. Entrapment Neuropathies,Nerve Entrapments,External Nerve Compression Syndromes,Internal Nerve Compression Syndromes,Nerve Compression Syndromes, External,Nerve Compression Syndromes, Internal,Compression Syndrome, Nerve,Compression Syndromes, Nerve,Entrapment, Nerve,Entrapments, Nerve,Nerve Compression Syndrome,Nerve Entrapment,Neuropathies, Entrapment,Neuropathy, Entrapment,Syndrome, Nerve Compression,Syndromes, Nerve Compression
D009776 Obturator Nerve A nerve originating in the lumbar spinal cord (L2 to L4) and traveling through the lumbar plexus to the lower extremity. The obturator nerve provides motor innervation to the adductor muscles of the thigh and cutaneous sensory innervation of the inner thigh. Nerve, Obturator,Nerves, Obturator,Obturator Nerves
D010243 Paralysis A general term most often used to describe severe or complete loss of muscle strength due to motor system disease from the level of the cerebral cortex to the muscle fiber. This term may also occasionally refer to a loss of sensory function. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p45) Palsy,Plegia,Todd Paralysis,Todd's Paralysis,Palsies,Paralyses,Paralysis, Todd,Paralysis, Todd's,Plegias,Todds Paralysis
D001843 Bone Cements Adhesives used to fix prosthetic devices to bones and to cement bone to bone in difficult fractures. Synthetic resins are commonly used as cements. A mixture of monocalcium phosphate, monohydrate, alpha-tricalcium phosphate, and calcium carbonate with a sodium phosphate solution is also a useful bone paste. Bone Cement,Bone Glues,Bone Pastes,Bone Glue,Bone Paste,Cement, Bone,Cements, Bone,Glue, Bone,Glues, Bone,Paste, Bone,Pastes, Bone
D004576 Electromyography Recording of the changes in electric potential of muscle by means of surface or needle electrodes. Electromyogram,Surface Electromyography,Electromyograms,Electromyographies,Electromyographies, Surface,Electromyography, Surface,Surface Electromyographies
D005260 Female Females
D006622 Hip Prosthesis Replacement for a hip joint. Femoral Head Prosthesis,Femoral Head Prostheses,Hip Prostheses,Prostheses, Femoral Head,Prostheses, Hip,Prosthesis, Femoral Head,Prosthesis, Hip
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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