Foot Drop Following a Popliteal Sciatic Nerve Block with Ropivacaine, A Case Report and Literature Review

Overview

Journal Local Reg Anesth

Publisher Dove Medical Press

Date 2024 Jul 16

PMID 39011053

Authors

Andreas Clipet-Jensen

Hans Fjeldsoe-Nielsen

Peter Roy Kirkegaard

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Although peripheral nerve blocks are deemed very safe, a significant number of patients for whom this anesthetic technique may be particularly appealing to apply may present with preexisting peripheral neuropathies, putting them at risk for further nerve damage. We present a case with a 74-year-old male with several risk factors for peripheral neuropathy who developed a foot drop following a popliteal sciatic nerve block with ropivacaine. We suggest that the vasoconstrictive properties of ropivacaine may have contributed to a preexisting neuronal ischemia, thus further damaging an already compromised nerve.

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