It is more commonly called the superficial fibular nerve.
The superficial peroneal nerve contains both motor and sensory fibers, meaning it provides both motion and sensation.
It supplies motion and sensation to the outside of the leg and the upper part of the foot.
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This article discusses the anatomy, function, and structure of the superficial peroneal nerve.
It also goes over some of the conditions that can affect this nerve.
The common peroneal nerve wraps around the outside of your knee to the front of your calf.
Most of the nerves in your bodybranch off from the spinal cord.
The nerves that extend away from the spine and into the limbs are called peripheral nerves.
From there, it runs down between thefibularismuscles and the outside of the extensordigitorum longusmuscle.
That’s where it branches off to the muscles along the outside of the leg.
That’s where it divides into the medial and intermediate dorsal cutaneous branches.
Farther down, its role becomes purely sensory and cutaneous.
Working with the deep peroneal nerve, the superficial branch may provide motor function to the extensordigitorumbrevis.
It receives feeling via the deep peroneal nerve, instead.
Conditions Affecting the Superficial Peroneal Nerve
Superficial peroneal nerve damage and entrapment are both somewhat common.
Ankle sprains and twists can also lead to entrapment from the nerve becoming over-stretched.
Symptoms of entrapment include:
How Do You Treat Superficial Peroneal Nerve Pain in the Foot?
In cases of nerve damage or entrapment, the typical approach is to treat the underlying injury or disease.
Other options include:
Over-the-counter pain medications may help ease the symptoms.
In cases of severe pain, you may want to see a pain specialist.
It also provides motor function to the foot and toes.
The superficial peroneal nerve can be damaged due to injury or a medical condition such as neuroma or diabetes.
An injury can also cause entrapment of the superfiecial peroneal nerve.
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