What is a peroneal nerve injury?

A peroneal nerve injury is damage to the nerve on the outer part of the lower knee. This nerve sends impulses to and from the leg, foot, and toes. Damage can cause weakness, numbness, and pain. It may also make it hard for a person to lift their foot.

What happens when the peroneal nerve is damaged?

Mild peroneal nerve injuries can cause numbness, tingling, pain and weakness. More severe injuries can be characterized by a foot drop, a distinctive way of walking that results from being unable to bend or flex the foot upward at the ankle.

How does the peroneal nerve get damaged?

Common causes of damage to the peroneal nerve include the following: Trauma or injury to the knee. Fracture of the fibula (a bone of the lower leg) Use of a tight plaster cast (or other long-term constriction) of the lower leg.

Can peroneal nerve be repaired?

Physical therapy can also help you improve your walking and mobility. For more severe peroneal nerve injuries, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure to decompress the nerve, repair the nerve with grafts or sutures, or transfer other nerves or tendons to support function of your leg and foot.

Can crossing legs cause peroneal nerve damage?

This is because crossing the legs can put pressure on the peroneal nerve behind the knee, which supplies sensation to the lower legs and feet. But if you do give yourself pins and needles this way, it is only temporary.

Can peroneal nerve damage heal on its own?

Aim: Common peroneal nerve (CPN) injuries represent the most common nerve lesions of the lower limb and can be due to several causative mechanisms. Although in most cases they recover spontaneously, an irreversible damage of the nerve is also likely to occur.

What causes the deep peroneal nerve and the injuries?

There are a few common causes of injury to the peroneal nerve. One of them is some sort of injury or trauma to the knee. Also, if you happen to fracture your fibula, that could lead to deep peroneal nerve damage. Anything that constricts your lower leg on a long-term basis can also put you at risk for this sort of mononeuropathy.

What to do if you have peroneal nerve dysfunction?

The nerve pain may be very uncomfortable. This disorder does not usually shorten a person’s expected lifespan. Call your provider if you have symptoms of common peroneal nerve dysfunction. Avoid crossing your legs or putting long-term pressure on the back or side of the knee. Treat injuries to the leg or knee right away.

Is the peroneal nerve part of the sciatic nerve?

The peroneal nerve is a branch of the sciatic nerve, which supplies movement and sensation to the lower leg, foot and toes.

What are the different types of peripheral nerve injuries?

There are three basic types of peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) commonly seen in the clinic. Stretch related – the peripheral nerves are elastic, but when a traction force is too strong injury occurs.