Retrospective Analysis of Functional and Demographic Data of Earthquake-Related Peripheral Nerve Injuries

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the clinical, demographic, and electroneuromyography data of patients with peripheral nerve injury who were followed up in physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics following a large earthquake that occurred in February 2023. Methods: The records of 57 patients diagnosed with peripheral nerve injury using electroneuromyography were reviewed. The electroneuromyography results of the damaged peripheral nerves were assessed. The demographic information and the electromyographic data of the patients were recorded retrospectively. Results: Fifty-seven patients with peripheral nerve injuries who were hospitalized due to earthquake injuries were included in the study. Thirty-two (56.1%) patients had compartment syndrome, 27 (47.4%) had undergone fasciotomy, 18 (31.6%) had undergone phleb surgery, 19 (33.3%) had wound infection, 14 (24.6%) had fractures, and 14 (24.6%) had amputations. According to the electroneuromyography findings, 3 patients had cervical root avulsion, 15 patients had brachial plexus injury, 1 patient had lumbar root avulsion, 4 patients had lumbosacral plexus injury, and 44 patients had peripheral nerve injury. The most frequently affected peripheral nerve was the peroneal nerve. Regeneration was observed in 19 patients who underwent control electroneuromyography. The peroneal nerve (n=7, 28%) and the brachial plexus (n=7, 46.6%) were the most frequently regenerated nerves. Conclusion: An earthquake-induced nerve injury may not be life-threatening, but it can affect the long-term quality of life. Effective treatment and rehabilitation depend on careful observation and targeted intervention. We expect to share our long-term data regarding early rehabilitation in the future. Cite this article as: Bilir EE, Ata AM, Borman P, Savtok BE, Afşin B, Eser F. Retrospective analysis of functional and demographic data of earthquake-related peripheral nerve injuries. Arch Health Sci Res. 2025; 12, 0161, doi: 10.5152/ArcHealthSciRes.2024.23161.