Complications
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage is a rare, but recognised risk of instrumental delivery. Injury is more likely with difficult deliveries and mid-cavity forceps. The following table shows the nerves that can be damaged by forceps, and their clinical features.
| Nerve | Clinical features |
|---|---|
| Femoral nerve | Weakness in knee extension, loss of the patella reflex, numbness of the thigh |
| Lumbosacral trunk | Weakness in ankle dorsiflexion, numbness of the calf and foot |
| Sciatic nerve | Weakness in knee flexion and foot movements, pain and numbness from gluteal region to ankle |
| Obturator nerve | Weakness in hip adduction, numbness over the medial thigh |
Most nerve injuries recover within six to eight weeks, but occasionally nerve damage can be permanent.
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