Nerve Damage After Hip Surgery may be Due to Inflammation: Study

A Mayo Clinic Proceedings article links some nerve damage after hip surgery to inflammatory neuropathy.

A Mayo Clinic Proceedings article links some nerve damage after hip surgery to inflammatory neuropathy.

Historically, nerve damage from hip surgery has been attributed to mechanical factors caused by anesthesiologists or surgeons, such as positioning of the patient during surgery or direct surgical injury of the nerves.

WWE Star Hulk Hogan Undergoes Knee and Hip Surgery
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has undergone a knee and hip surgery after suffering years of wear-and-tear in the ring.

In this study, researchers examined patients who developed inflammatory neuropathies, where the immune system attacks the nerves, leading to weakness and pain. Inflammatory neuropathies may be treated with immunotherapy.

"Neuropathy after surgery can significantly affect postsurgical outcomes," says Nathan Staff, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic neurologist. "The good news is that if we're able to identify patients experiencing postsurgical inflammatory neuropathy, rather than damage caused by a mechanical process, we may be able to provide treatment immediately to mitigate pain and improve overall outcomes."

The study was a retrospective case series, including patients who developed pain and weakness in a limb after undergoing hip surgery where there was no documented direct or traction injury during surgery. Nerve biopsy demonstrated an inflammatory neuropathy in all patients.

Other Existing Conditions may Predict Success of Hip Surgery
Hip fractures are the first step in a complete decline in the patient's health, setting off a long list of potential complications

Neuropathy refers to damage to the peripheral nerves in the limbs. Patients with neuropathy often experience numbness, tingling, pain and weakness that starts in their feet and moves upward. Neuropathy described in this study is isolated to the limb where the hip surgery occurred — often affecting the sciatic nerve that runs down the leg and controls strength and sensation.

Dr. Staff says it is important that physicians understand that nerve damage may be related to an inflammatory issue, and there are some telltale signs for physicians to look for:

Surgical Robot Improves Hip Surgery Success Rates
UK scientists have developed a surgical robot that makes hip operations extremely simple.

Patient's neuropathy isn't immediate, but rather it develops over time
Severe pain
Neuropathy progresses
Different anatomical distribution than expected

"We know new or worsened weakness after hip surgery can be attributed to surgical factors, such as stretching, compression, contusion, hematoma or even transection of the nerve. But now we know that this weakness may be attributed to an inflammatory issue, and it's important that physicians look for this cause, too," says Dr. Staff.

Brangelina Dismisses Reports of Zahara's Hip Surgery
Celebrity couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have dismissed reports that their adopted daughter Zahara is in need of hip surgery.

Source-Eurekalert