Rotationplasty with Tibial Nerve Coaptation: A Case Report

JBJS Case Connect. 2023 Feb 28;13(1). doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.22.00272. eCollection 2023 Jan 1.

Abstract

Case: We present the case of a 14-year-old adolescent boy with a distal femoral osteosarcoma partially encasing the tibial nerve. He underwent rotationplasty with resection and coaptation (end-to-end repair) of the tibial nerve. By 1 year postoperatively, he had recovered sensation on the plantar aspect of his foot and Medical Research Council scale 4+/5 gastro-soleus contraction that powered extension of the new knee.

Conclusion: Tibial nerve resection is not an absolute contraindication for rotationplasty, even in an adolescent. Nerve coaptation allows for well-functioning rotationplasty as an alternative to endoprosthetic reconstruction or above-knee amputation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Amputation, Surgical
  • Bone Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Lower Extremity
  • Male
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures*
  • Tibial Nerve / surgery