Acute Charcot Event Secondary to Complication of Ultrasound Guided Popliteal Nerve Blockade for Double Arthrodesis: A Case Study

Sean R Van Aken, Renee E Shepherd and Kimberlee B Hobizal

Department of Podiatric Surgery, Heritage Valley Health System, USA
Department of Foot Surgery, San Fernando Valley, USA

^*Correspondance to: Sean R Van Aken 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.2635

Abstract

In this article we present a case of a 54-year-oldfemale that underwent a double arthrodesis, ankle arthroscopy, and posterior muscle group lengthening for posterior tibial tendon dysfunction and tarsal coalition of the right foot with associated arthritic changes of the ankle. The patient was administered a pre-operative regional single shot femoral, popliteal fossa, right lower extremity nerve block. The patient experienced unilateral temporal peripheral neuropathy as a complication of the peripheral nerve block, which went on to secondarily cause an acute Charcot event. This appears to have been a rare sequence of complications that we were unable to find any other reported cases of in an extensive literature search. Popliteal fossa peripheral sciatic nerve blocks have been reported with relatively low complication rates and are typically regarded as a safe and effective procedure. While rare, peripheral nerve injuries are among the main complications associated with peripheral nerve blockade. As an attempt to avoid complications, attention should be paid to the location of the needle tip throughout a peripheral block to avoid intraneural injection. The patient in this case was treated for the acute Charcot event which has since stabilized, and she is now ambulating in supportive shoe gear.

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Cite the article

Van Aken SR, Shepherd RE, Hobizal KB. Acute Charcot Event Secondary to Complication of Ultrasound Guided Popliteal Nerve Blockade for Double Arthrodesis: A Case Study. Clin Surg. 2019; 4: 2635..