Peroneal neuropathy is a condition involving damage to or compression of the peroneal nerve (fibular nerve), which provides motor and sensory control to the lower leg and the top surface of the foot. A branch of the sciatic nerve, the peroneal nerve follows a course very close to the surface at the level of the fibular head located on the outer side of the knee. This anatomical feature makes the nerve highly vulnerable to external pressure and trauma. As the most common type of entrapment neuropathy in the lower extremity, this condition results in impaired nerve conduction, leading to weakness in the relevant muscles and sensory loss.
The most characteristic symptom of this disorder is "foot drop," a condition in which the foot and toes cannot be lifted upward. Because patients have difficulty lifting their feet off the ground while walking, they step by bending their knees more than normal or they drag their feet. Additionally, numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation may be observed on the top of the foot and the outer side of the leg. Common causes include crossing legs for long periods, tight casts, fractures around the knee, a decrease in the protective fatty tissue around the nerve due to sudden weight loss, and diabetes.
In the diagnosis of peroneal neuropathy, the EMG (electromyography) test, which evaluates nerve functions, is the gold standard alongside clinical examination. The treatment process usually begins with conservative methods focused on removing the pressure on the nerve. Avoiding crossing the legs, physical therapy exercises, and the use of special orthotics (AFO) that facilitate walking in case of foot drop assist in the recovery process. If there is permanent compression or a mass on the nerve, surgical decompression methods may be used; early diagnosis and intervention play a critical role in reversing nerve damage.
Piriformis syndrome is a neuromuscular condition that occurs when the piriformis muscle, located deep within the hip region, compresses or irritates the sciatic nerve passing nearby. While this muscle performs a critical function by enabling the external rotation of the leg, it exerts pressure on the sciatic nerve—the longest nerve in the body—in cases of […]
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Basic Anatomy of The Spine and Spinal Cord The spine consists of 33 vertebrae. Seven of these bones are cervical vertebrae, 12 are thoracic vertebrae, and 5 are lumbar vertebrae. Five of them are fused to form the sacrum, and 4 are fused to form the coccyx, also known as the tailbone. The function of […]
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Disc Herniation Herniated discs in the neck (cervical), back (lumbar), or more rarely in the mid-back (thoracic) are illness caused by degeneration of structures called discs located between the spinal bones, due to various reasons such as trauma, heavy lifting, excess weight, aging, poor posture, and genetic predisposition. Following the degeneration of the annulus of […]
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that occurs when the median nerve, one of the major nerves in the hand, is compressed and subjected to pressure within a structure called the carpal tunnel at the wrist level, due to various reasons. Causes include repetitive hand and wrist movements (computer use, playing musical […]
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Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Cubital tunnel syndrome is a condition that occurs when the ulnar nerve, one of the three main nerves in the hand, becomes compressed or exposed to pressure at the elbow region. The nerve travels between two bony protrusions on the inner side of our elbow and passes through a structure called the […]
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Peroneal neuropathy is a condition involving damage to or compression of the peroneal nerve (fibular nerve), which provides motor and sensory control to the lower leg and the top surface of the foot. A branch of the sciatic nerve, the peroneal nerve follows a course very close to the surface at the level of the […]
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Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a complex condition that occurs as a result of the compression of nerves or blood vessels passing through the narrow space between the clavicle (collarbone) and the first rib, known as the thoracic outlet. This narrowing typically results from traumatic injuries, repetitive arm and shoulder movements, postural disorders, or anatomical […]
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Pituitary Tumor The pituitary gland is a vital endocrine gland located at the base of the brain in a small bony cavity called the "sella turcica" (Turkish saddle) and is widely known as the body's "conductor of the orchestra." Pituitary tumors are masses that arise from the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells within this […]
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Chiari malformation (commonly known as Chiari syndrome) is a structural disorder characterized by the protrusion (herniation) of cerebellar tissue through the opening at the base of the skull (foramen magnum) into the spinal canal. Under normal conditions, the parts of the cerebellum should be located entirely within the skull; however, they are pushed downward due […]
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