Common Peroneal Nerve Entrapment

The fibular tunnel is a fibrous passageway along the outer side of the knee that houses the common peroneal (fibular) nerve, one of the leg and foot’s two major nerves. It is in charge of sensation to the top of the foot. The muscles that lift the ankle and straighten the toes are also controlled by the common peroneal nerve. Common Peroneal Nerve Entrapment occurs when the fibrous passageway (fibular tunnel) for the common peroneal nerve narrows along the outer side of the knee, causing nerve compression.

Causes and Risk Factors

Diabetes, arthritis, and a history of knee sprains or trauma are all risk factors for Common Peroneal Nerve Entrapment. All of these conditions have one thing in common: they all cause increased swelling in the fibrous passageway and less space for the common peroneal nerve. The nerve remains continuous in this situation, but its outer lining and blood supply can be damaged by the pressure caused by this narrow passageway. Scar tissue replaces the nerve’s natural outer insulation, known as myelin, in response. Electrical signals cannot easily travel across the nerve when scar replaces myelin.