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A 13-year-old female cheerleader presented with common peroneal neuropathy secondary to repetitive direct blow contusion injuries to the lateral leg, sustained during her role as a flyer in cheerleading. Symptoms resolved when removed from cheerleading activities. Nerve conduction velocity and needle electromyography electrodiagnostic test studies performed at presentation and during treatment confirmed improvement of the neuropathy. The use of a protective knee brace that provided cushion near the fibular head prevented recurrence after returning to cheerleading. An association between common peroneal neuropathy and cheerleading has not been documented in previous literature. Awareness of this association will help with diagnosis and prevention of injuries.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the clinical applicability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the early diagnosis of common peroneal neuropathy (CPNe).Methods: Over three years, the authors have treated 58 patients with CPNe. All patients had clinical or neurophysiological confirmation of CPNe. Among them, 35 (60%) patients underwent axial knee MRI with a 1.5-Tesla scanner. These 35 patients were selected for study and were classified into three groups according to the time of examination after the occurrence of dropped foot―acute, subacute, and chronic onset groups. According to muscle appearances (normal, edematous change, and atrophy), we diagnosed them with CPNe, except for those with normal morphology. We evaluated the applicability of MRI in the diagnosis of CPNe compared to that of electromyography (EMG).Results: The 18, 11, and six cases were included in the acute, subacute, and chronic onset groups, respectively. In the acute onset group, three cases had normal muscle appearance, while 15 cases had edematous changes in the affected muscles. In the subacute onset group, eight cases had edematous changes, while three cases showed muscle atrophy. In the chronic onset group, six cases had muscle atrophy. CPNe could be diagnosed using MRI in about 91% (32/35) of all the cases. Excluding the chronologically chronic stage, diagnosis rate was approximately 89%(26/29) of all the cases. However, only in 27 cases (77%) denervation potentials were presented on EMG.Conclusion: According to our results, MRI is a helpful diagnostic modality, especially in the early stage of CPNe, and may lead to proper management.

BACKGROUND The causes of peroneal neuropathy are various, but are rarely due to weight loss. Bilateral peroneal neuropathy caused by weight loss after surgery has been reported only after bariatric surgery and there were no reports associated with other abdominal surgery. In this report, we describe a case of the bilateral peroneal neuropathy that occurred due to marked weight loss after biliary surgery. CASE SUMMARY A 58-year-old male did not receive adequate nutritional support after biliary surgery, and showed a massive weight loss over a short period of time (body mass index; 24.1 kg/m2 to 20.5 kg/m2 for 24 d). Then, foot drop occurred on both sides. Physical examination, electromyography (EMG) and magnetic resonance imaging studies were conducted and he was diagnosed as bilateral common peroneal neuropathy around the fibular head level. The patient was treated electrical stimulation therapy on both lower legs along with exercise therapy, and received sufficient oral nutritional support. The patient gradually recovered to his original weight, and the power of the dorsiflexor of bilateral ankles improved after conservative treatment. In addition, the follow-up EMG showed signs of improvement. CONCLUSION Any abdominal surgery that may have rapid and marked weight loss can lead to peroneal neuropathy as a complication.

Although iatrogenic damage is less often involved, deep nerve injuries are reported especially as a result of small saphenous vein (SSV) dissection. Complete or partial division of the common peroneal nerve (CPN) during varicose vein operations causes substantial and serious disability. Most CPN injuries recover spontaneously; nonetheless, some require nerve surgery. Treatment depends on the nature of CPN injury. This report chronicles 2 instances of CPN injury after SSV surgery, addressing treatment strategies and therapeutic gains. The pertinent literature is also reviewed.

Background Common peroneal mononeuropathy at the fibular neck (CPN) is one of the most frequent neuropathies of the lower extremities. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) have been used to confirm the diagnosis of CPN and localize common peroneal nerve abnormalities. High-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) can aid in assessing the size of the common peroneal nerve. Aim Was to evaluate the superficial peroneal sensory potential (SPSP) and HRUS role in the confirmation of CPN. Methods This study was conducted on 70 patients presented with clinical and motor electrophysiological evidence of common peroneal neuropathy at the fibular neck and 70 controls. Clinical assessment, electrophysiological evaluations, and HRUS at the fibular neck were done. Results All the patients were electrophysiologically proven to have common peroneal motor neuropathy at the fibular neck, and seven of them showed abnormalities in nerve conduction studies only. The patients showed smaller common peroneal nerve motor and sensory responses and much larger cross-sectional area (CSA) of the common peroneal nerve at the fibular neck when compared with the controls. NCS and EMG positive findings are the most significant factor related to the increased HRUS CSA. Affected SPSP is significantly detected in patients with axonal affection. CSA of common peroneal nerve at the fibular neck showed a significant positive correlation with body mass index, motor, and sensory latencies. Also, it showed a significant negative correlation with motor and sensory amplitudes. HRUS CSA localized the lesion at the fibular neck with sensitivity and specificity 83% and 53% respectively. CSA plus SPSP affection sensitivity and specificity in confirming CPN were 91.9% and 89%. Conclusion HRUS CSA plus affected SPSP improve the diagnosis of CPN compared to standard electrophysiological criteria. Recommendation Further studies on a wider scale for detection of their role in the prediction of prognosis in CPN. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03753178 (26-11-2018)

BACKGROUND Neurofibromatosis syndromes such as neurofibromatosis type 1, neurofibromatosis type 2, and schwannomatosis often result in painful symptoms related to tumor burden. OBSERVATIONS Painful symptoms classically associated with common points of peripheral nerve entrapment, such as common peroneal neuropathy at the fibular tunnel, may present in patients both with and without focal tumor involvement. LESSONS Surgical decompression at the point of entrapment, with or without resection of tumor, may provide symptomatic relief. Examples of surgical decompression at the point of entrapment, both with and without resection of tumor, are presented.

Case. A 62-year-old man presented with persistent lateral knee pain 15 months following an uncomplicated total knee arthroplasty. There was a tendinous snapping structure over the lateral aspect of the knee in deep flexion with positive Tinel’s sign over the fibular head. The patient underwent an uncomplicated flabella excision. The patient was cleared to return to work and full duty at two months postoperatively. Conclusion. Flabella syndrome is a rare but increasingly common mechanism of persistent lateral knee pain following total knee arthroplasty. Surgeons should be aware of this etiology of persistent lateral knee pain and offer treatment modalities to address this pathology.

Objective In Asians, kneeling and squatting are the postures that are most often induce common peroneal neuropathy. However, we could not identify a compatible compression site of the common peroneal nerve (CPN) during hyper-flexion of knees. To evaluate the course of the CPN at the popliteal area related with compressive neuropathy using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of healthy Koreans. Methods 1.5-Tesla knee MRI scans were obtained from enrolled patients and were retrospectively reviewed. The normal populations were divided into two groups according to the anatomical course of the CPN. Type I included subjects with the CPN situated superficial to the lateral gastocnemius muscle (LGCM). Type II included subjects with the CPN between the short head of biceps femoris muscle (SHBFM) and the LGCM. We calculated the thickness of the SHBFM and posterior elongation of this muscle, and the LGCM at the level of femoral condyles. In type II, the length of popliteal tunnel where the CPN passes was measured. Results The 93 normal subjects were included in this study. The CPN passed through the "popliteal tunnel" formed between the SHBFM and the LGCM in 36 subjects (38.7% type II). The thicknesses of SHBFM and posterior portions of this muscle were statistically significantly increased in type II subjects. The LGCM thickness was comparable in both groups. In 78.8% of the "popliteal tunnel", a length of 21 mm to l40 mm was measured. Conclusion In Korean population, the course of the CPN through the "popliteal tunnel" was about 40%, which is higher than the Western results. This anatomical characteristic may be helpful for understanding the mechanism of the CPNe by posture.

Introduction: Coir work, in a large number of people involves mechanically rolling the coconut fibers into coir which is later subjected to various processes. The primary work is done as a cottage industry specially by women in the sitting posture for several hours. This study reports evidence of median and common peroneal neuropathy electrophysiologically in people who had been engaged in this job for several years. This study was initiated to establish the possible relationship between coir work and symptomatic neuropathies which was seen in that region with all investigations “ for other causes not” contributing to the etiological diagnosis. Subjects and Methods: One hundred and forty-two upper limbs and 142 lower limbs in patients engaged in long years of coir work but having no symptoms were evaluated electrophysiologically with informed consent and financial compensation, appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria were followed as described in the text. Results: There is electrophysiological evidence for median and common peroneal neuropathy in persons engaged in long years of coir work. Conclusions: Coir workers neuropathy appears to be a new occupational neuropathy which can be prevented by following simple preventive measures.

The fabella is a sesamoid bone situated in the posterolateral knee, which may contribute to posterolateral knee pain by impinging on the adjacent common peroneal nerve (CPN). Although anatomic studies have established an relationship between the fabella and CPN, we present 4 cases of posterolateral knee pain radiating into the anterolateral leg in which sonography was able to determine the source of the pain as CPN compression by an adjacent fabella. In 2 of these cases, resolution of symptoms was achieved with ultrasound-guided CPN blocks, whereas 1 case was surgically treated, and another was managed with oral analgesics. These cases illustrate the utility of diagnostic and interventional sonography in the evaluation and treatment of posterolateral knee pain secondary to fabellar impingement of the CPN.

We report a case of bilateral common peroneal neuropathy secondary to intermittent pneumatic compression device in a 74-year-old patient after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Care should be taken to avoid such an adverse outcome that could lead to a long-term disability.

The common peroneal nerve arises from the sciatic nerve and is subject to a variety of abnormalities. Although diagnosis is often is based on the clinical findings and electrodiagnostic tests, high-resolution sonography has an increasing role in determining the type and location of common peroneal nerve abnormalities and other peripheral nerve disorders. This article reviews the normal sonographic appearance of the common peroneal nerve and the findings in 21 patients with foot drop related to common peroneal neuropathy.

Common peroneal neuropathy (CPN) may develop unexpectedly in patients with underlying cancer. To clarify the underlying pathophysiology, clinical and neurophysiological data were prospectively collected from 10 oncology clinic patients referred for neurological assessment after the onset of foot weakness. In all patients, the CPN occurred in the setting of advanced systemic malignancy frequently associated with marked weight loss at the time of foot weakness. Neurophysiological studies localised the CPN to the fibular head in 80% of cases. Findings from this study, combined with recent experimental evidence, support the hypothesis that clinically evident CPN develops after rapid weight loss, perhaps reflecting a relative metabolic deficiency within the nerve, which exposes anatomical susceptibility and possible subclinical pre-existing nerve injury.

Common peroneal neuropathy (CPN) can mimic lumbar radiculopathy both clinically and electrodiagnostically [1]. CPN caused by entrapment at the fibular head is the most frequent mononeuropathy of the lower limb [1]. The superficial peroneal sensory (SPS) nerve conduction study (NCS) is performed frequently in persons with suspected CPN. A normal SPS response often is used to differentiate radiculopathy from CPN. However, CPN at the fibular head can preferentially affect superficial peroneal motor fibers while sparing the SPS branches, making it difficult to differentiate it from L5 radiculopathy [1]. This finding is consistent with the concept of selective fascicular involvement in peripheral nerve lesions [1-3]. The 2 cases presented involve patients who had CPN with spared SPS fibers on electrodiagnostic testing (EDX), an uncharacteristic and atypical presentation. It is important to perform EDX to accurately diagnose such atypical CPN lesions, and especially to differentiate them from their common mimicker, L5 radiculopathy.

We review the spectrum of mononeuropathies caused by extraneural (EG) and intraneural (IG) ganglia and their pathogenesis according to the unifying articular (synovial) theory. Peroneal neuropathy at the knee is highlighted as the most common mononeuropathy due to IG. These cysts are an underrecognized cause of common peroneal neuropathy and a prototype for understanding the diagnosis and treatment of neuropathy due to ganglia in all locations. The clinical, electrophysiologic, and imaging presentations are discussed to facilitate the diagnosis of peroneal IG as well as other mononeuropathies due to ganglia at other sites for physicians in clinical practice.

The common peroneal nerve is a major source of innervation to the lower limb, but it is sometimes compressed or entrapped at the fibular head. The authors present what they believe is the first reported case where peroneal nerve impingement caused by ganglion cyst compression of the nerve at the fibular head was diagnosed using a combination of ultrasound imaging and electrodiagnostic studies. The authors described the history, physical examination, electrodiagnostic findings, and musculoskeletal ultrasound findings of a patient with a left foot drop caused by a ganglion cyst compressing the common peroneal nerve at the fibular head. The increasing role of ultrasound imaging to evaluate musculoskeletal pathology is discussed.

This report describes the effect of excessive cooling with ice, and compression with a plastic wrap on the common peroneal nerve (CPN) for 90 minutes in a professional footballer, which led to a common peroneal nerve palsy and a resulting footdrop. It highlights the need to be cautious with regards to the duration and frequency of icing as well as the choice of anchoring material when applying ice to injured areas that have superficial nerves passing nearby. Full recovery of the CPN function occurred in this athlete after five weeks. The major causes of footdrop and common causes of common peroneal neuropathy are discussed.

Intraneural ganglia (IG) are an underappreciated but treatable cause of common peroneal neuropathy (CPN). This study was designed to determine if there are clinical measures that distinguish CPN caused by IG from CPN without a clear proximate cause.Clinical and electrodiagnostic features of 22 cases of IG were compared in a case-control study to 11 cases of CPN with imaging negative for IG.The IG group had a greater body mass index (30 vs 24; p0.005), more pain at the knee (52% of 22 vs 0% of 11; p0.005) or in the peroneal distribution (76% of 21 vs 27% of 1; p0.02), more frequent fluctuating weakness (48% of 21 vs 4% of 29; p0.01) with weight bearing (38%, p0.05), or a palpable mass (47% of 20, p0.01) at the fibular head. The IG group was less likely to present with a history of weight loss (0% vs 36%; p0.01), immobility (0% vs 21%; p0.03), or leg crossing (0% vs 80%; p0.05). There were no significant electrophysiologic differences.Presenting clinical features increase the likelihood of intraneural ganglia and may assist selection of patients with common peroneal neuropathy for diagnostic peroneal nerve imaging.

In 10 consecutive patients with footdrop due to common peroneal neuropathy without an obvious cause, MRI of the knee showed pathology at the fibular head in 6, including 5 patients with clinically unsuspected cysts of the tibiofibular joint. All 6 of the patients improved with surgery.

Foot drop is usually derived from peroneal nerve injury. Traumatic causes of peroneal nerve injury are more common than insidious causes including metabolic syndromes and mass lesions. We present a case with common peroneal neuropathy due to schwannoma, which is extremely rare. Complete excision of the mass lead to a gradual improvement of the symptoms. Schwannoma should be considered as a cause of common peroneal neuropathy. (Korean J Clin Neurophysiol 2014;16:74-76)

To enhance the accuracy for determining the precise localization, the findings of the compound nerve action potentials (CNAPs) of the common peroneal nerve (CPN) were investigated in patients with common peroneal mononeuropathy (CPM) in the knee, and the sural sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) were also analyzed. Twenty-five patients with CPM in the knee were retrospectively reviewed. The findings of the CNAPs of the CPN recorded at the fibular neck and the sural SNAPs were analyzed. The lesion was localized at the fibular head (abnormal CNAPs) and at or distal to the fibular head (normal CNAPs). Seven patients were diagnosed as having a lesion at or distal to the fibular neck, and 18 cases were diagnosed as having a fibular head lesion. The sural SNAPs were normal in all the cases of lesion at or distal to the fibular neck. Among 18 cases of fibular head lesion, the sural SNAPs were normal in 7 patients: two cases of conduction block and 5 cases of mild axon loss. Eleven patients showed abnormal sural SNAPs. Of those, 9 cases were severe axon loss lesions and 2 patients were diagnosed as having severe axon loss with conduction block. The recording of the CNAPs may enhance precise localization of CPM in the knee. Moreover, the sural SNAPs could be affected by severe axonal lesion at the fibular head.

Common peroneal neuropathy is uncommon in children and adolescents. In this population, it is usually caused by direct nerve injury at the fibular head level. Most commonly, the nerve is damaged during sports-related blunt trauma. Other etiologies such as hereditary neuropathies and bone tumors are much less frequent. In some cases, repetitive microtrauma to the peroneal nerve is felt to cause neuropathy. We describe the case of a teenager who developed common peroneal neuropathy in association with prolonged wave-surfing in the presence of weight loss. ( J Child Neurol 2000;15:420-421)