Relationship between anatomy of cutaneous nerves around the knee and postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty
DIWU Wei-long
WANG Xing
BI Long
ZHENG Jian-min
WANG Jun
HAN Yi-sheng
Abstract：Objective To explore the relative location of cutaneous nerve branches around the knee, so as to provide an anatomical basis for denervation surgery in the treatment of postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty ( TKA ). Methods The adjacent relationship of articular and cutaneous nerves around the knee was investigated in 4 cadavers, including 2 adult embalmed cadavers ( 4 lower limbs ) and 2 fresh bodies ( 2 lower limbs ), which were all dissected. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging ( MRI ) was used to scan the nerves, so as to provide a visualized and 3-dimensional ( 3D ) morphological reference for the clinical application. Results There were 3 cutaneous nerves around the knee, including medial femoral cutaneous nerve, patellar branch of saphenous nerve and intermediate femoral cutaneous nerve. These nerves were superifcially located with smaller diameters, and therefore it was dififcult to distinguish the partial view. Based on the 3D MRI scans, the nerves and their locations could be further clariifed, as well as their relationship to the bone landmarks around them. Conclusions The damaged nerves which cause pain after TKA can be clariifed based on the anatomy of cutaneous nerves around the knee. Under the guidance, the neuropathic pain after TKA can be relieved in the denervation surgery.
Keywords：Knee jointCutaneous nerveAnatomyPainMagnetic resonance imaging ( MRI )
Publication Date：2014-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：4( 390-393 )