The superficial peroneal nerve arises as one of two terminal branches of the common peroneal nerve, carrying sensory information from the anterolateral leg and dorsum of the foot. It can be entrapped around the peroneal tunnel after branching from the common peroneal nerve, causing pain and paresthesia in the affected areas exacerbated by walking. Treatment options include conservative care, lidocaine blocking, neurolysis, or decompressive surgery. Superficial peroneal nerve entrapment is rare and diagnosed clinically based on symptomatology.

1. Ade Wijaya, MD – September 2021

2.  The superficial peroneal nerve (superficial fibular
nerve) is a mixed nerve that carries sensory
information from the anterolateral aspect of the
leg and the greater part of the dorsum of the foot
(except for the first web space)
 The superficial peroneal nerve arises as 1 of the
2 terminal branches of the common peroneal
nerve at the level of the neck of the fibula in 81%.
It originates between the fibular neck and the
knee joint in about 9%. In the remaining 10%, it
originates above the knee joint line
Allam AE, Mansour ER. Superficial Peroneal Nerve Block. [Updated 2021 Jun 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-
. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537363/

3.  Peroneal = Fibular
Strakowski JA. Ultrasound evaluation of focal neuropathies: correlation with
electrodiagnosis. Demos Medical Publishing; 2013 Jul 26.

4.  First described by Henry
 Rare
 The superficial peroneal nerve can be
entrapped around the peroneal tunnel after it
branches from the common peroneal nerve
 Diagnosed based on the symptomatology
because it is difficult to diagnose with nerve
conduction studies.
Matsumoto J, Toyohiko IS, Kyongsong KI, Iwamoto N, Yamazaki K, Isobe M. Clinical features and surgical treatment of superficial peroneal nerve entrapment
neuropathy. Neurologia medico-chirurgica. 2018 Jul;58(7):320.

5.  Muscle herniation
 Trauma
 Compression by mass lesions, e.g. varicose
veins, lipoma
 Idiopathic
Matsumoto J, Toyohiko IS, Kyongsong KI, Iwamoto N, Yamazaki K, Isobe M. Clinical features and surgical treatment of superficial peroneal nerve entrapment
neuropathy. Neurologia medico-chirurgica. 2018 Jul;58(7):320.

6.  The symptoms are pain and paresthesia of
the affected area, e.g. the lateral aspect of
the lower shin and the dorsum of the foot;
these symptoms tend to be exacerbated by
walking and exercise
 Differential diagnosis: lumbar pathology
Matsumoto J, Toyohiko IS, Kyongsong KI, Iwamoto N, Yamazaki K, Isobe M. Clinical features and surgical treatment of superficial peroneal nerve entrapment
neuropathy. Neurologia medico-chirurgica. 2018 Jul;58(7):320.

8.  Conservative
 Lidocaine blocking
 Neurolysis
 Decompressive surgery

9. Image courtesy S Bhimji MD

10.  Rare
 Clinical diagnosis
 Pain and paresthesia of the affected area, e.g.
the lateral aspect of the lower shin and the
dorsum of the foot