ArticleJournal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma
Cadaveric study of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve: Can damage be prevented in total knee arthroplasty?
Article in Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers.
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Who cites it
12 citing papers in PubMed.
- The effect of J-shaped incision versus standard midline incision on numbness and pain in primary total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized controlled trial.International orthopaedics · 2026Trial
- Application of saphenous nerve infrapatellar branch protection technique in total knee arthroplasty.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2025Trial
- Numbness Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: Role of Incision Length And Position - A Randomized Study.Clinics in orthopedic surgery · 2023Trial
- [Comparison of effectiveness between infrapatellar and semi-extended parapatellar approaches for intramedullary nailing in treatment of type A tibial shaft fractures].Zhongguo xiu fu chong jian wai ke za zhi = Zhongguo xiufu chongjian waike zazhi = Chinese journal of reparative and reconstructive surgery · 2026Article
- A cadaveric study of the innervation of the anterior compartment of the knee.Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery · 2025Review
- A randomized controlled trial on oblique incisions for ACL reconstruction: Minimizing sensory deficit without compromising outcome.Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma · 2025Article
- The objective measurement of hypoaesthesia after Total Knee Arthroplasty and its correlation with skin incision length: a prospective study.International orthopaedics · 2024Article
- Arthroscopy with Lipoaspirate and Plasma Infiltration Using Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Plus Platelet-Rich Plasma: Harvesting and Injection for Arthroscopic Treatment of Cartilage Defects of the Knee.Arthroscopy techniques · 2023Article
- A Muscle-Preserving Short Transverse Incision for Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: A Technical Note.Cureus · 2023Article
- Case report: A case of injury to the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve caused by medial approach in knee arthroscopy.Frontiers in neurology · 2023Article
- The Effect of Sensory Deficit After Total Knee Arthroplasty on Patient Satisfaction and Kneeling Ability.Arthroplasty today · 2021Article
- Neuroma of the Infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve following Total knee Arthroplasty: a case report.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2019Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve (IPBSN) is a purely sensory nerve innervating the anteromedial aspect of the knee and anteroinferior knee joint capsule. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is commonly used to treat end-stage arthritis, but the IPBSN is often injured and results in numbness around the anteromedial knee. The aim of this cadaveric study was to describe the course and variability of the IPBSN and to assess whether it is possible to preserve during a standard midline surgical approach in TKA.
methodsTen fresh-frozen cadaver legs were dissected using a midline approach to the knee. Skin and subcutaneous flap were reflected to expose both the saphenous nerve and its branches. The branches of the IPBSN were identified, and their vertical distances above the tibial tuberosity (TB) were recorded: TB to inferior branch, to middle branch, and to superior branch.
resultsThere were 10 left-sided specimens (6 female, 4 male) with a mean age of 79.9 ± 9.8 years. 8 (80%) specimens had 2 branches of IPBSN while 2 (20%) specimens had 3 branches. The average distance from TB to the inferior branch was 16.8 ± 8.3 mm (3.0-28.0); middle branch, 24.0 ± 1.4 mm (23.0-24.9); and superior, 45.9 ± 7.7 mm (32.0-54.5).
conclusionOur cadaveric study found no consistent way to preserve the IPBSN using a standard midline approach in TKA. It is important to provide proper patient education on this complication, and surgeons should be aware of approximate locations and variations of IPBSN while performing other knee procedures.
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