Superficial peroneal nerve syndrome: an unusual nerve entrapment

Abstract

Lower-extremity pain and paresthesia have multiple origins. Early recognition of the symptoms of peripheral nerve entrapment leads to timely treatment and avoids the cost of unnecessary studies. The authors report on a case of superficial peroneal nerve syndrome resulting from nerve herniation through a fascial defect, which was responsive to surgical treatment. This 22-year-old man presented with pain and paresthesias over the lateral aspect of the right calf and the dorsum of the foot without motor weakness. Exercise led to the formation of a tender bulge approximately 12 cm above the lateral malleolus. Percussion of this site worsened his symptoms. Radiography and electromyography studies were nondiagnostic. The patient underwent surgical decompression that involved division of the fascia overlying the nerve and neurolysis of the superficial peroneal nerve. The operation resulted in symptom-free relief. Superficial peroneal nerve syndrome is an entrapment neuropathy that results from mechanical compression of the nerve at or near the point where the nerve pierces the fascia to travel within the subcutaneous tissue. Surgical decompression of the mechanical entrapment usually provides relief from pain and paresthesia.

Peroneal neuropathy misdiagnosed as L5 radiculopathy: a case report

“…Most injuries occur at the fibular head and can be the result of many factors including chronic low grade infection [2], varicose veins [3], schwannoma [4], nerve herniation through a fascial defect [5], giant plexiform neurofibromatosis [6], pneumatic compression [7], total knee arthroplasty, proximal tibial osteotomy [8], ganglion cysts [9], weight loss [10], associated endocrine or metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, thyrotoxicosis or Vitamin B depletion [11], high ankle sprain and leg crossing/squatting [12,13]; the most common cause of which is habitual leg crossing [14]. In this paper, we present a case of peroneal neuropathy that was originally misdiagnosed as a lumbar radiculopathy.…”

Common Peroneal Nerve Palsy Secondary to a Proximal Tibiofibular Joint “Ganglion Cyst”—A Case Report and Review of Literature

“…Currently, the gold standard treatment for a peroneal nerve palsy due to a peripheral nerve ganglion compression is surgical removal of the ganglion [ [31]. Careful surgical planning and proper delineation of the mass is most important.…”

Compression neuropathy of the peroneal nerve secondary to a ganglion cyst

“…The list includes prolonged squatting or leg crossing (10,11), chronic low grade infection (12), varicose veins (13), rapid marked weight reduction (14), schwannoma (15), nerve herniation through a fascial defect (16), giant plexiform neurofibromatosis (17), pneumatic compression (18), total knee arthroplasty (9), proximal tibial osteotomy (9) and ganglion cysts (19), to name a few.…”