Fig. 2

Traversing of the positive HTS in time and measurements of the ASENS. Six months after surgery a positive HTS was detected at the lower leg approximately 15 cm above the Achilles tendon (a). After 9 months this spot was detected more distally at approximately 10 cm distant from the Achilles tendon (b). Three months later this spot was detected at the level of the lateral malleolus (c) (Images of patient 2). Positive HTS below the operation site in the majority of patients could be observed as early as 9 months after surgery. Thereafter, the number of patients who reported positive HTS increased as well as the distance traversed by the wandering HTS. By 12 MPO, fifteen patients demonstrated a positive HTS below the operation site. Eleven of them demonstrated simultaneously a reduction in the ASENS and five patients of this latter population showed a positive HTS located below the lateral malleolus. Two patients reported no sensation of a HTS anymore, but reported complete recovery of sensation at the lateral aspect of the foot (dotted line represents HTS located at the lateral malleolus = 100%, below this line < 100% heading towards, and above this line > 100% HTS located below the lateral malleolus) (d). Quantification of the mean ASENS in patients with a positive HTS as percentage of the area immediately after surgery (e)