Sciatic nerve injury from intramuscular injection: a persistent and global problem.
Summary of "Sciatic nerve injury from intramuscular injection: a persistent and global problem."
Summary Background/Aims: An intramuscular (IM) injection into the buttock risks damaging the sciatic nerve. Safe injection practices need to be understood by doctors and nurses alike. The aims of this study were to determine if sciatic nerve injury because of IM injection is a continuing problem and to establish the availability of published guidelines on IM injection techniques. Methods: Intramuscular injection related sciatic nerve injury claims to the New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation between July 2005 and September 2008 were reviewed. Nursing organisations were surveyed to enquire about guidelines on IM injection. IM injection related sciatic nerve injuries in the medical and medicolegal literature (1989-2009) were systematically reviewed. Results: There were eight claims for sciatic nerve injection injury made to the ACC during the 3-year study period; all were in young adults. Only one of the nursing organisations contacted had published guidelines on IM injection technique, and these related specifically to immunisation. Seventeen reports of patients with sciatic nerve injury from IM injection were identified comprising a total of 1506 patients, at least 80% of which were children. Nine court decisions finding in favour of the plaintiff were identified, all from the North American legal system. A broad range of drugs were implicated in the offending IM injections. Conclusions: Sciatic nerve injury from an IM injection in the upper outer quadrant of the buttock is an avoidable but persistent global problem, affecting patients in both wealthy and poorer healthcare systems. The consequences of this injury are potentially devastating. Safer alternative sites for IM injection exist. These should be promoted more widely by medical and nursing organisations.
Affiliation
Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: International journal of clinical practice
ISSN: 1742-1241
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20670272
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-1241.2009.02177.x
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Sciatic Nerve
A nerve which originates in the lumbar and sacral spinal cord (L4 to S3) and supplies motor and sensory innervation to the lower extremity. The sciatic nerve, which is the main continuation of the sacral plexus, is the largest nerve in the body. It has two major branches, the TIBIAL NERVE and the PERONEAL NERVE.
Diffuse Axonal Injury
A relatively common sequela of blunt head injury, characterized by a global disruption of axons throughout the brain. Associated clinical features may include NEUROBEHAVIORAL MANIFESTATIONS; PERSISTENT VEGETATIVE STATE; DEMENTIA; and other disorders.
Sciatic Neuropathy
Disease or damage involving the SCIATIC NERVE, which divides into the PERONEAL NERVE and TIBIAL NERVE (see also PERONEAL NEUROPATHIES and TIBIAL NEUROPATHY). Clinical manifestations may include SCIATICA or pain localized to the hip, PARESIS or PARALYSIS of posterior thigh muscles and muscles innervated by the peroneal and tibial nerves, and sensory loss involving the lateral and posterior thigh, posterior and lateral leg, and sole of the foot. The sciatic nerve may be affected by trauma; ISCHEMIA; COLLAGEN DISEASES; and other conditions. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1363)
Abducens Nerve Injury
Traumatic injury to the abducens, or sixth, cranial nerve. Injury to this nerve results in lateral rectus muscle weakness or paralysis. The nerve may be damaged by closed or penetrating CRANIOCEREBRAL TRAUMA or by facial trauma involving the orbit.
Peroneal Nerve
The lateral of the two terminal branches of the sciatic nerve. The peroneal (or fibular) nerve provides motor and sensory innervation to parts of the leg and foot.
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