Direct neurectomy of the motor branches of the tibial nerve in hemiplegic adults: an assessment with a mean follow-up period of 11 years

Abstract

Introduction: Neurectomy of the tibial nerve plays a major role in the relief of disabling spasticity, which is refractory to drug treatment and physiotherapy. Although the immediate postoperative results are generally satisfactory, few evaluations of the procedure's long-term efficacy have been published.

Objective: To estimate the long-term efficacy of total or partial neurectomy of the motor branches of the tibial nerve (combined with additional orthopaedic surgery in some cases).

Method: A descriptive, retrospective study of 25 brain-damaged patients having undergone neurectomy at least 4 years ago.

Results: The mean post-neurectomy follow-up period was 11 years. Twenty patients became less dependent on the use of walking aids. Of the 18 patients unable to walk barefoot before surgery, 11 could do so after surgery. Of the 12 patients unable to walk on uneven ground before surgery, seven could do so afterwards. The walking distance increased for 20 patients. In 22 cases, the spasticity disappeared immediately after the operation and did not reappear in the long-term. In three other cases, spasticity persisted postoperatively and, in the long-term, affected the soleus (the denervation of which had been incomplete or not performed). Eighty-three percent of the patients were satisfied with the operation's outcome.

Conclusions: The observed maintenance of the benefits of total or partial neurectomy after an average follow-up period of 11 years confirms the value of this procedure. The few mediocre outcomes (observed in cases of partial neurectomy of the soleus) are in agreement with literature reports and emphasize the role of the soleus in this pathology.