Abstract
An understanding of the anatomy of the popliteal fossa is essential in order to successfully block the nerves of the lower extremity below the knee. The innervation of the lower extremity originates from the lumbar and sacral plexuses. The sciatic nerve, which is formed from the sacral plexus, innervates the hamstrings and all the muscles of the lower leg and foot. With one exception, the saphenous nerve, all the sensation of the lower leg is via branches of the sciatic nerve. In the past, all techniques for blocking nerves in the popliteal fossa involved the use of a stimulating needle and a nerve stimulator to elicit a characteristic dorsi or plantar flexion in the foot. However, recently interest has centered on the use of ultrasonic guidance to facilitate the placement of regional blocks. Needle guidance and block placement with ultrasound offers the following distinct advantages over all other techniques: precise location of nerves, avoidance of major vessels or organs, direct visualization of the needle and spread of the local anesthetic solution and to make peripheral blocks possible in the morbidly obese where landmarks are obscured. This manuscript provides detailed guidance in the use of ultrasound to facilitate the placement of the popliteal fossa block.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 164-166 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Techniques in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2004 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
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Popliteal fossa block. / Girdharry, Dexter; McQuillan, Patrick.
In: Techniques in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management, Vol. 8, No. 4, 01.01.2004, p. 164-166.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Popliteal fossa block
AU - Girdharry, Dexter
AU - McQuillan, Patrick
PY - 2004/1/1
Y1 - 2004/1/1
N2 - An understanding of the anatomy of the popliteal fossa is essential in order to successfully block the nerves of the lower extremity below the knee. The innervation of the lower extremity originates from the lumbar and sacral plexuses. The sciatic nerve, which is formed from the sacral plexus, innervates the hamstrings and all the muscles of the lower leg and foot. With one exception, the saphenous nerve, all the sensation of the lower leg is via branches of the sciatic nerve. In the past, all techniques for blocking nerves in the popliteal fossa involved the use of a stimulating needle and a nerve stimulator to elicit a characteristic dorsi or plantar flexion in the foot. However, recently interest has centered on the use of ultrasonic guidance to facilitate the placement of regional blocks. Needle guidance and block placement with ultrasound offers the following distinct advantages over all other techniques: precise location of nerves, avoidance of major vessels or organs, direct visualization of the needle and spread of the local anesthetic solution and to make peripheral blocks possible in the morbidly obese where landmarks are obscured. This manuscript provides detailed guidance in the use of ultrasound to facilitate the placement of the popliteal fossa block.
AB - An understanding of the anatomy of the popliteal fossa is essential in order to successfully block the nerves of the lower extremity below the knee. The innervation of the lower extremity originates from the lumbar and sacral plexuses. The sciatic nerve, which is formed from the sacral plexus, innervates the hamstrings and all the muscles of the lower leg and foot. With one exception, the saphenous nerve, all the sensation of the lower leg is via branches of the sciatic nerve. In the past, all techniques for blocking nerves in the popliteal fossa involved the use of a stimulating needle and a nerve stimulator to elicit a characteristic dorsi or plantar flexion in the foot. However, recently interest has centered on the use of ultrasonic guidance to facilitate the placement of regional blocks. Needle guidance and block placement with ultrasound offers the following distinct advantages over all other techniques: precise location of nerves, avoidance of major vessels or organs, direct visualization of the needle and spread of the local anesthetic solution and to make peripheral blocks possible in the morbidly obese where landmarks are obscured. This manuscript provides detailed guidance in the use of ultrasound to facilitate the placement of the popliteal fossa block.
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U2 - 10.1053/j.trap.2004.11.002
DO - 10.1053/j.trap.2004.11.002
M3 - Article
VL - 8
SP - 164
EP - 166
JO - Techniques in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management
JF - Techniques in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management
SN - 1084-208X
IS - 4
ER -