5.2 Lower Limb Flashcards
(137 cards)
LumboSacral plexus
The lumbosacral plexus
is not a single plexus;
it comprises two distinct
and separate components:
the lumbar and sacral plexus.
A single injection of the lumbosacral
plexus cannot anaesthetise the whole lower extremity.
The lumbar plexus is derived from
The lumbar plexus is derived from the anterior primary rami (ventral) T12–L4,
The sacral plexus is derived from
The sacral plexus is derived from anterior primary rami
(ventral) L4–S3 spinal nerves
What is the benefit of LL block vs central
The renewed popularity of lower-limb peripheral blocks has been
attributed to techniques such as ultrasound guidance and continuous catheter techniques.
It also avoids the potential risk of epidural
haematoma in orthopaedic patients, where the use of venous
thromboprophylaxis is routine
Is lumbrosacral plexus block effective
Continuous lumbosacral plexus block
has been shown to be superior
to morphine patient-controlled analgesia
and equally effective as
epidural analgesia, for post-operative analgesia
facet joint pain.
the posterior (dorsal)
primary rami produce
lateral and medial branches
which innervate the back.
The medial branch innervates the
facet joint and is often targeted
as a chronic pain procedure to treat facet joint pain.
The lumbar plexus is
main supply
lies in
formed by the anterior primary rami of T12–L4
The lumbar plexus mainly supplies the anterior part of the thigh.
lie with the bulk of the psoas muscle
The lumbar plexus is most important branches:
most important branches:
1
the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh (LCN)
(lieslaterally),
2
the femoral nerve (FN)
(lies in between) and
3
the obturator nerve
(ON) (lies medially)
within the psoas muscle
Issue with FIB
evidence that the
LCN and the FN may
be separated from the
ON by a muscular compartment,
hence a fascia iliaca
or femoral three-in-one
block usually spares the obturator nerve.
The branches of the lumbar plexus (T12–L4)
Iliohypogastric
Ilioinguinal
Genitofemoral
LCN
Femoral
Obturator
Iliohypogastric
Iliohypogastric T12–L1 (anterior rami) Abdominal muscles Inferior abdomen and buttock
Ilioinguinal
Ilioinguinal L1 (anterior rami) Abdominal muscles Medial thigh, external genitalia
Genitofemoral
Genitofemoral
L1–L2
(anterior rami)
Cremaster
Medial thigh, external genitalia
LCN
LCN
L2–L3
(posterior rami)
None
Lateral thigh
Femoral
Femoral
L2–L4
(posterior rami)
Anterior thigh muscles
Anterior thigh and medial side of l
eg below knee up to
medial malleolus
Hip and knee joint
Obturator
Obturator
L2–L4
(anterior rami)
Medial thigh muscle
Medial side of thigh,
posterior lower thigh
Hip and knee joint
Femoral nerve innervates
femoral nerve innervates
iliacus,
psoas,
sartorius,
quadriceps
(rectus femoris and three vastus muscles),
and pectinius.
The obturator nerve
motor
The obturator nerve
innervates three adductor muscles, obturator externus, gracilis and pectinius
Lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh has
Lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh has a
cutaneous innervation only.
What supply hips
knee
The anterior divisions of both femoral and obturator nerve supply the hip joint, while their posterior branches supply the knee joint.
Hip surgery
Lower-limb blocks are an efficacious way to provide post-operative
analgesia.
lumbar plexus supplies the hip joint and part of the knee joint
Hence a lumbar plexus block offers good analgesia for hip surgery,
while femoral nerve block often proves inadequate for knee surgery
Knee replacement
sacral plexus supplies the posterior part of knee joint and ankle
as well. Hence a combined lumbar plexus–sciatic nerve block is
appropriate for a total knee replacement.
Ankle surgery
Only the medial malleolus of the ankle is supplied by the femoral nerve (via
the saphenous nerve), while the remainder is innervated by the sciatic nerve.
Dermatomes of lower limbs
T12-S5
T12 At inguinal ligament
L1 Pubic area
L2 Anterior medial thigh
L3 At the medial epicondyle of the femur
L4 Over the medial malleolus
L5 On the dorsum of the foot
S1 On the lateral aspect of the calcaneus
S2 At the midpoint of the popliteal fossa
S3 Over the tuberosity of the ischium or infragluteal fold
S4, S5 Perianal area