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  • Updated 01.07.2024
  • Released 11.21.1997
  • Expires For CME 01.07.2027

Fibular neuropathy

Introduction

Overview

The fibular (peroneal) nerve is a commonly entrapped or injured nerve in the leg. Symptoms typically include weakness in ankle dorsiflexion and eversion and sensory loss over the lateral lower leg and dorsum of the foot. Diagnostic testing in the evaluation of fibular neuropathy includes electrodiagnostic testing, neuromuscular ultrasound, and MRI imaging. Treatment includes conservative measures, physical therapy and surgical intervention.

Key points

• Fibular mononeuropathy is the most common entrapment neuropathy in the lower extremity.

• Fibular mononeuropathy presents with foot drop, sensory loss on the dorsum of the foot and lateral leg, and, rarely, pain.

• The most common etiology of fibular neuropathy is external compression and trauma at the fibular head, but injury may also occur in the thigh.

• Electrodiagnostic studies are useful for localization and assessing the severity of fibular neuropathy. High-resolution sonography also helps with the assessment of fibular neuropathy.

• Treatment of fibular neuropathy includes conservative measures such as bracing and physical therapy, and in some cases, surgical intervention.

Historical note and terminology

The term “peroneal nerve” was changed to “fibular nerve” by the Terminologica Anatomica, an international standard for anatomical terminology that is developed and maintained by an international organization of anatomists (https://fipat.library.dal.ca/). Along with the fibular nerve, associated innervated muscles in the lower leg were similarly renamed from peroneal to fibular terminology. This change was made to avoid confusion with the “perineal” nerve. The terms peroneal and fibular nerve are now used interchangeably, but most official references will use the fibular nomenclature.

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