Neurological Complications Related to Elective Orthopedic Surgery: Part 2: Common Hip and Knee Procedures

Many anesthesiologists may not be familiar with the rate of surgical neurological complications of the hip and knee procedures for which they are providing local anesthetic-based anesthesia and/or analgesia. Part 2 of this narrative review series on neurological complications of elective orthopedic surgery describes the mechanisms and likelihood of peripheral nerve injury associated with some of the most common hip and knee procedures, including arthroscopic hip and knee surgery and total hip and knee replacement.

As the popularity of regional anesthesia continues to increase with the development of ultrasound guidance, anesthesiologists should have a thoughtful understanding of the nerves at risk of surgical injury during elective hip and knee procedures.