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ALL / Neurology
Common peroneal nerve lesion
Common peroneal nerve lesion
The sciatic nerve divides into the tibial and common peroneal nerves. Injury often occurs at the neck of the fibulaThe most characteristic feature of a common peroneal nerve lesion is foot drop.
Other features include:
- weakness of foot dorsiflexion
- weakness of foot eversion
- weakness of extensor hallucis longus
- sensory loss over the dorsum of the foot and the lower lateral part of the leg
- wasting of the anterior tibial and peroneal muscles
The other important cause of foot drop is an L5 radiculopathy:
| Common peroneal nerve palsy | L5 radiculopathy | |
|---|---|---|
| Foot inversion | Preserved | Weak |
| Hip abduction (gluteus medius) | Normal | Weak |
| Back / radicular pain | Absent | Present |
| Sensory pattern | Dorsum of foot ± lateral shin | L5 dermatome (lateral leg → dorsum foot → big toe) |
+PassMedicine Notes
The sciatic nerve divides into the tibial and common peroneal nerves. Injury often occurs at the neck of the fibula
The most characteristic feature of a common peroneal nerve lesion is foot drop.
Other features include:- weakness of foot dorsiflexion
- weakness of foot eversion
- weakness of extensor hallucis longus
- sensory loss over the dorsum of the foot and the lower lateral part of the leg
- wasting of the anterior tibial and peroneal muscles
The other important cause of foot drop is an L5 radiculopathy:
_ Common peroneal nerve palsy _ L5 radiculopathy | Foot inversion _ Preserved _ Weak| Hip abduction (gluteus medius) _ Normal _ Weak| Back / radicular pain _ Absent _ Present| Sensory pattern _ Dorsum of foot ± lateral shin _ L5 dermatome (lateral leg → dorsum foot → big toe)|