Prophylactic and Therapeutic Peroneal Nerve Decompression for Deformity Correction and Lengthening

Nerve injury is one of the most serious and frequent complications of deformity correction and limb lengthening. Acute or gradual deformity correction or limb lengthening is frequently complicated by nerve injury. The peroneal nerve is the most frequently injured around the knee and the upper tibia. Decompression of this nerve should be considered as prophylactic and therapeutic treatment to avoid injury and ensure recovery, respectively. There are 2 tunnels of entrapment near the neck of the fibula. Knowledge of this anatomy is important to all surgeons treating patients at risk of this injury.