Sciatic neuropathy following intramuscular injection: Clinical and electrophysiological findings

• Author Details:   
• Tarun Kumar Ralot
• Jatin Choudhary
• Nikhil Arvind Dongre
• Vinod Kumar
• Dharmendra Meena

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Introduction: Post injection sciatic neuropathy in very common in developing country like India and mostly it is because of faulty technique and injecting substances. Due to thin fat pad and less muscle bulk of buttocks in children, it makes them more prone to sciatic nerve injury than adults.
Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and electrophysiological findings of post-injection sciatic neuropathy.
Materials and Methods: We included 30 consecutive patients who had history of intragluteal injection and subsequently developed neuropathy and their clinical and electrophysiological examination was done.
Results: The most affected nerve was Sural Nerve (83.33%) while Superficial Peroneal nerve was least affected (16.67%). Fifteen cases had both Tibial and Peroneal nerve affection. Cases who had both sensory motor axonal neuropathy were twenty seven while one case exclusively had motor axonal neuropathy. One case exclusively showed pure sensory neuropathy. Demyelinating neuropathy was found in one case.
Conclusion: The sciatic neuropathy is a common health problem in children after injection so, intramuscular injecton is better avoided in children. Bilateral involvement in eight cases hints that there are some more mechanisms involved in neuropathy other than local injury.

Keyword: Sciatic Neuropathy, Intramuscular Injection, Electrophysiological