Common peroneal nerve dysfunction is damage to the peroneal nerve leading to loss of movement or sensation in the foot and leg.
Alternative NamesNeuropathy - common peroneal nerve; Peroneal nerve injury; Peroneal nerve palsy
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe peroneal nerve is a branch of the sciatic nerve, which supplies movement and sensation to the lower leg, foot and toes. Common peroneal nerve dysfunction is a type of peripheral neuropathy(damage to nerves outside the brain or spinal cord). This condition can affect people of any age.
Dysfunction of a single nerve, such as the common peroneal nerve, is called a mononeuropathy. Mononeuropathy implies there is a local cause of the nerve damage, although certain bodywide conditions may also cause isolated nerve injuries.
Damage to the nerve destroys the covering of the nerve cells (the myelin sheath) or causes degeneration of the entire nerve cell. There is a loss of sensation, muscle control, muscle tone, and eventual loss of muscle mass because of lack of nervous stimulation to the muscles.
Common causes of damage to the peroneal nerve include the following:
People who are extremely thin or emaciated (for example, from anorexia nervosa) have a higher-than-normal risk of common peroneal nerve injury. Conditions such as diabetic neuropathy or polyarteritis nodosa, as well as exposure to certain toxins, can also cause damage to the common peroneal nerve.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is an inherited disorder that affects all nerves, with peroneal nerve dysfunction apparent early in the disorder.
SymptomsExamination of the legs may show a loss of muscle control over the legs (usually the lower legs) and feet. The foot or leg muscles may atrophy (lose mass). There is difficulty with dorsiflexion (lifting up the foot and toes) and with eversion (toe-out movements).
Muscle biopsy or a nerve biopsy may confirm the disorder, but they are rarely necessary.
Tests of nerve activity include:
Other tests are determined by the suspected cause of the nerve dysfunction, based on the person's history, symptoms, and pattern of symptom development. They may include various blood tests, x-rays, scans, or other tests and procedures.
TreatmentTreatment is aimed at maximizing mobility and independence. Any illness or other source of inflammation that is causing the neuropathy should be treated.
If there is no history of trauma to the area, the condition developed suddenly with minimal sensation changes and no difficulty in movement, and there is no test evidence of nerve axon degeneration, then a conservative treatment plan will probably be recommended.
Corticosteroids injected into the area may reduce swelling and pressure on the nerve in some cases.
Surgery may be required if the disorder is persistent or symptoms are worsening, if there is difficulty with movement, or if there is evidence on testing that the nerve axon is degenerating. Surgical decompression of the area may reduce symptoms if the disorder is caused by pressure on the nerve. Surgical removal of tumors or other conditions that press on the nerve may be of benefit.
CONTROLLING SYMPTOMS
Over-the-counter or prescription analgesics may be needed to control pain. Other medications may be used to reduce the stabbing pains that some people experience, including gabapentin, carbamazepine, or tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline. Whenever possible, medication use should be avoided or minimized to reduce the risk of side effects.
If pain is severe, a pain specialist should be consulted so that all options for pain treatment are explored.
Physical therapy exercises may be appropriate for some people to maintain muscle strength.
Orthopedic assistance may maximize the ability to walk and prevents contractures. This may include use of braces, splints, orthopedic shoes, or other equipment.
Vocational counseling, occupational therapy, or similar intervention may be recommended to help maximize mobility and independence.
Expectations (prognosis)The outcome depends on the underlying cause. Successful treatment of the underlying cause may resolve the dysfunction, although it may take several months for the nerve to grow back.
Alternately, if nerve damage is severe, disability may be permanent. The nerve pain may be quite uncomfortable. This disorder does NOT usually shorten the person's expected life span.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if you have symptoms that indicate common peroneal nerve dysfunction.
PreventionAvoid prolonged pressure to the back or side of the knee. Injuries to the leg or knee should be treated promptly.
If a cast, splint, dressing, or other possible constriction of the lower leg causes a tight feeling or numbness, notify your health care provider.
ReferencesKing JC. Peroneal neuropathy. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal disoders, pain and rehabilitation.. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008: chap 66.
deep peroneal nerve from the common peroneal never
the common peroneal nerve and the tibial nerve:Common Peroneal Nerve, comprised of nerve fibers from L5, S1, S2, and S3.Tibial Nerve comprised of nerve fibers from L4, L5, S1, S2 and S3)
The sciatic nerve is a combination of the common fibular (peroneal) nerve and the tibial nerve.
The common peroneal nerve, also known as the common fibular nerve, is primarily derived from the L4-S2 nerve roots. It branches from the sciatic nerve in the posterior thigh and innervates muscles in the lower leg and foot. Its role includes motor functions for dorsiflexion and eversion of the foot, as well as sensory functions in the skin of the lower leg and the dorsum of the foot.
An inability to extend the leg would result from a loss of function of the common peroneal nerve, a branch of the sciatic nerve. This nerve provides motor function to the muscles that extend the leg and dorsiflex the foot. Injury or compression of the common peroneal nerve can lead to weakness or paralysis in these muscles, resulting in difficulty extending the leg.
no difference except for the sensory supply. if you damage your sciatic nerve, the sensory and muscle supply above the knee also lost as the sciatic nerve is damage. This is because common peroneal nerve is the brach of sciatic and it is at level of your knee. Only muscle and sensory below the knee level will be affected if you damage the common peroneal nerve. However the condition of foot drop would be the same
superficial peroneal nerve
Funny Bone
Peroneal nerve serve the peroneal muscles of leg. It can be palpated at the neck of Fibula bone. This copartment is situated lateral to the anterior border of Tibia bone.
The sciatic nerve splits into the common fibular (peroneal) and tibial nerves in the thigh region. This occurs just above the knee, with the common fibular nerve wrapping around the fibular head and the tibial nerve passing beneath the gastrocnemius muscle.
The two branches of the sciatic nerve are the tibial nerve and the common fibular (peroneal) nerve. The tibial nerve supplies the posterior compartment of the leg, while the common fibular nerve innervates the anterior and lateral compartments of the leg and the muscles of the foot.
most commonly injured at the neck of the fibula. injury will cause paralysis of muscles of anterior and lateral compartments of leg along with sensory loss on the skin of the dorsum of the foot. there will be loss of dorsiflexion and that will cause foot drop with patient walking on toes of affected foot. patient will also have difficulty in eversion of the foot with foot remaining in inversion.