Does Lower Extremity Nerve Decompression Surgery Improve Quality of Life?

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Surgical Outcomes
• Diabetic Neuropathy

Background:

• Entrapment neuropathies are more common in diabetic patients.
• Assessing the impact of lower extremity nerve decompression surgery is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate the effect of lower extremity nerve decompression surgery on quality of life.
• Identify predictors of surgical success and complications.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 60 patients undergoing nerve decompression (peroneal, tibial nerves).
• Assessed quality of life using the Norfolk Quality of Life-Diabetic Neuropathy questionnaire.
• Monitored Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument scores and surgical site issues.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in quality of life (p=0.011) and neuropathy scores (p<0.01).
• Predictors of better quality of life included higher baseline scores and longer follow-up.
• Hypertension was also a predictor (p=0.03).
• Surgical site problems occurred in 26.7%, with wound infections in 18.3%.

Conclusions:

• Lower extremity nerve decompression surgery effectively enhances quality of life by alleviating neuropathy symptoms.
• Strategies to minimize wound complications are essential for optimal surgical results.