Fibular (peroneal) nerve neuropathy
Fibular (peroneal) nerve neuropathy
The peroneal nerve (n. Fibularis or n. Peroneus) is a nerve that is mixed in functions (it is also responsible for movement and sensitivity). The peroneal nerve is one of the two main branches of the sciatic nerve and consists mainly of the fibers L4, L5, and S1-spinal nerves.
The motor fibers of the peroneal nerve innervate mainly the extensor muscles of the foot, the extensors of the fingers, and the muscles that rotate the foot outward. Sensory fibers of the peroneal nerve innervate the skin of the outer surface of the lower leg and the dorsum of the foot and toes.
Traumatic neuritis (post-traumatic neuropathy) of the peroneal nerve with a fracture of the fibula.
Diagnostics of the neuropathy of the peroneal nerve
When diagnosing a lesion of the peroneal nerve (Fibular (peroneal) nerve neuropathy), it is impossible to extend (dorsal flexion) of the foot and fingers, as well as turn the foot outward. The Achilles reflex (from the tibial nerve) is preserved.
Sensory disorders in neuritis of the peroneal nerve occur on the outer surface of the lower leg and dorsum of the foot. The joint-muscular feeling in the fingers is not disturbed (due to the preservation of sensitivity from the tibial nerve). Pain with neuritis of the peroneal nerve is usually significant or absent, the same applies to trophic disorders.
The formation of the peroneal nerve occurs from the sciatic nerve.
The foot in the case of neuritis of the peroneal nerve hangs down, slightly turned inward, the fingers are slightly bent. Emaciation of the muscles on the antero-outer surface of the lower leg is noticeable. The patient's gait with neuritis of the peroneal nerve becomes very typical ("peroneal, cockerel", "step"): the patient, in order not to touch the floor with the toe of the hanging foot, raises his leg high and first steps with his toe, then the outer edge of the foot and, finally, the sole.
There are the following basic tests for peroneal neuritis:
- The extension (dorsiflexion) and outward rotation of the foot, as well as extension of the fingers, are impossible
- Unable to stand on heels and walk on heels
Diagnosis of the level of damage to the peroneal nerve in neuritis is performed using electroneurography (ENG).
Treatment of neuropathy of the peroneal nerve
Treatment for neuritis of the peroneal nerve is selected individually in each case. It includes a set of conservative procedures:
- acupuncture
- nerve and muscle stimulation
- vitamins of group "B", "C" and "E"
- antiviral drugs
- homeopathic remedies
- surgical treatment (neurolysis, stitching of the nerve trunk, etc.)
The use of acupuncture is very effective in the treatment of peroneal neuritis.
Elimination of paresthesias and pain, restoration of the range of motion in the joints and muscles of the leg and foot with neuritis of the peroneal nerve is accelerated with the use of physiotherapy. We use TENS for neurostimulation of the peroneal nerve.
The TENS procedure also contributes to the simultaneous stimulation of the patient's calf muscles.
Elimination of paresthesias and pain, restoration of the range of motion in the joints and muscles of the leg and foot in the treatment of peroneal nerve neuritis is accelerated with the use of physiotherapy.
See also
- Anatomy of the nervous system
- Spinal disc herniation
- Pain in the arm and neck (trauma, cervical radiculopathy)
- The eyeball and the visual pathway:
- Anatomy of the eye and physiology of vision
- The visual pathway and its disorders
- Eye structures and visual disturbances that occur when they are affected
- Retina and optic disc, visual impairment when they are affected
- Impaired movement of the eyeballs
- Nystagmus and conditions resembling nystagmus
- Dry Eye Syndrome
- Optic nerve and retina:
- Compression neuropathy of the optic nerve
- Edema of the optic disc (papilledema)
- Ischemic neuropathy of the optic nerve
- Meningioma of the optic nerve sheath
- Optic nerve atrophy
- Optic neuritis in adults
- Optic neuritis in children
- Opto-chiasmal arachnoiditis
- Pseudo-edema of the optic disc (pseudopapilledema)
- Toxic and nutritional optic neuropathy
- Neuropathies and neuralgia:
- Diabetic, alcoholic, toxic and small fiber sensory neuropathy (SFSN)
- Facial nerve neuritis (Bell's palsy, post-traumatic neuropathy)
- Fibular (peroneal) nerve neuropathy
- Median nerve neuropathy
- Neuralgia (intercostal, occipital, facial, glossopharyngeal, trigeminal, metatarsal)
- Post-traumatic neuropathies
- Post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy
- Post-traumatic sciatic nerve neuropathy
- Radial nerve neuropathy
- Tibial nerve neuropathy
- Ulnar nerve neuropathy
- Tumors (neoplasms) of the peripheral nerves and autonomic nervous system (neuroma, sarcomatosis, melanoma, neurofibromatosis, Recklinghausen's disease)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Ulnar nerve compression in the cubital canal
