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Ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma injections for the treatment of common peroneal nerve palsy associated with multiple ligament injuries of the knee

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

Peroneal nerve palsy in traumatic knee dislocations associated with multiple ligament injuries is common. Several surgical approaches are described for this lesion with less-than-optimal outcomes. The present case represents the application of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) technology for the treatment of peroneal nerve palsy with drop foot. This technology has already been proven its therapeutic potential for various musculoskeletal disorders. Based on these results, we hypothesized that PRGF could stimulate the healing process of traumatic peroneal nerve palsy with drop foot.

Methods

The patient was a healthy 28-year-old man. He suffered peroneal nerve palsy with drop foot after multiple ligament injuries of the knee. PRGF was prepared according to the manufactured instruction. Eleven months after the trauma with severe axonotmesis, serial intraneural infiltrations of PRGF were started using ultrasound guidance. The therapeutic effect was assessed by electromyography (EMG), echogenicity of the peroneal nerve under ultrasound (US) and manual muscle testing.

Results

Twenty-one months after the first injection, not complete but partial useful recovery is obtained. He is satisfied with walking and running without orthosis. Sensitivity demonstrates almost full recovery in the peroneal nerve distribution area. EMG controls show complete reinnervation for the peroneus longus and a better reinnervation for the tibialis anterior muscle, compared with previous examinations.

Conclusion

Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) infiltrations could enhance healing process of peroneal nerve palsy with drop foot. This case report demonstrates the therapeutic potential of this technology for traumatic peripheral nerve palsy and the usefulness of US-guided PRGF.

Level of evidence

V.

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Acknowledgments

The authors kindly appreciate the technical assistance and advice of Fernando Yanguela, MD, with the ultrasound-guided injections of PRP and Francisco Requena, MD, with the EMG.

Conflict of interest

Eduardo Anitua is currently scientist at BTI Biotechnology Institute, the company that has developed the PRGF-Endoret Technology. BTI has patents related with PRGF-Endoret Technology.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Arthroscopic Surgery Unit, UCA “Mikel Sánchez”, USP-La Esperanza Clinic, La Esperanza 3, 01002, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

    M. Sánchez & T. Yoshioka

  2. Rehabilitation Medicine Service, University of Tsukuba Hospital, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan

    T. Yoshioka

  3. Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Galdakao-Usánsolo Hospital, Bilbao, Spain

    M. Ortega

  4. UCA RESEARCH, USP-La Esperanza Clinic, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

    D. Delgado

  5. Foundation Eduardo Anitua, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

    E. Anitua

Authors
  1. M. Sánchez
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  2. T. Yoshioka
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  3. M. Ortega
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  4. D. Delgado
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  5. E. Anitua
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to T. Yoshioka.

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Sánchez, M., Yoshioka, T., Ortega, M. et al. Ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma injections for the treatment of common peroneal nerve palsy associated with multiple ligament injuries of the knee. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 22, 1084–1089 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-013-2479-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-013-2479-y

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