Saphenous neuralgia after arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a semitendinosus and gracilis tendon graft

Abstract

A case report of saphenous neuralgia following arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring tendons is presented. The patient complained of paresthesia in the anteromedial region of the lower leg and tenderness at the medial side of the knee without motor or reflex abnormalities. Because saphenous neuralgia can mimic disorders of the knee, peripheral vascular disease, and lumbar nerve root compression, diagnosis can be confirmed by anesthetic blockade. The patient underwent saphenous neurolysis. Six months after surgery, the patient had normal cutaneous sensation at the medial aspect of the lower leg and ankle and she no longer complained of any painful dysesthesia. To minimize the risk of damaging the saphenous nerve when harvesting hamstring tendons, the knee should be flexed and the hip external rotated.