Paralysis of the peroneal nerve following hip fracture treatment.

A prospective study was performed over a period of 2 years to identify the cause of peroneal palsy following hip fracture treatment. Sixty-eight patients in Group I had their injured leg placed in traction in a splint with a metal frame. In Group II (66 patients) elevation only of the fractured extremity was maintained with a few pillows. There were five cases of peroneal palsy in Group I and none in Group II. The difference is significant. Direct pressure on the nerve in the area of the fibular head during the preoperative traction period seems to be the cause of this transient dysfunction.