Anesth Pain Med.  2014 Apr;9(2):134-137.

Common peroneal injury mistaken neuraxial analgesia complication after vaginal delivery: A case report

• Kang RA
• Choi DH
• Choi JW

Abstract

Common peroneal neuropathy during normal delivery is associated with instrumentation and prolonged time spent in a certain position. We report a case of unilateral common peroneal neuropathy in a vaginal delivery patient under labor analgesia with the combined spinal-epidural technique. A 29-year-old woman complained of weakness and numbness of the left foot two days after vaginal delivery. Neurologic examination and electrodiagnostic testing confirmed left common peroneal neuropathy. The patient was referred for rehabilitation, which substantially improved her mobility and function, and prevented secondary damage. The patient had not fully recovered at three months after the delivery. The possible etiology of the postpartum common peroneal neuropathy was most likely prolonged and excessive pressure around the knee by assistants. Excessive compression during delivery should be minimized or avoided. Patient education and awareness among the labor and delivery team will prevent this complication. Neurologic complications related to epidural analgesia should also be ruled out in these patients.

Keyword

Common peroneal neuropathy; Epidural analgesia; Neurologic complication; Obstetric labor

MeSH Terms

Adult
Analgesia*
Analgesia, Epidural
Female
Foot
Humans
Hypesthesia
Knee
Labor, Obstetric
Neurologic Examination
Patient Education as Topic
Peroneal Neuropathies
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Rehabilitation