[Trauma related injury to nerves within the popliteal space].
A series of 18 patients aged 21-45 years treated due to nerve injuries within popliteal space in Traumatology and Orthopaedics Department of MSWIA Hospital in Bydgoszcz between 1992 and 1994 has been studied. In 16 patients (88.8%) common peroneal nerve was involved, in one patient (5.6%) tibial nerve and both nerves were injured in 1 patient also (5.6%). In 14 cases (77.8%) neuropraxis was diagnosed, in 2 cases (11.1%) axonotmesis and neurotmesis in remaining 2 cases. Patients with neuropraxis and axonotmesis type of injury regained complete function after conservative treatment of 4 weeks to 3 months duration. Those with neurotmesis have been operated on. The patient with injury to both nerves regained tibial nerve function. No return of function has been achieved in the patient with peroneal nerve neurotmesis.