Causes
The cause of the pain is irritation or damage to the peroneal nerve. This can happen, for example, through increased pressure on the nerve in the foot extensor box, for example in compartment syndrome, which can lead to the nerve dying off in the further course due to a lack of blood supply. Frequently, work involving kneeling on the floor, such as tiling, also causes discomfort due to pressure on the nerves. Direct damage (e.g. severing) of the nervus peroneus can occur during an operation or injury to the leg. Polyneuropathy, which begins in the body periphery, can also be behind damage to the peroneal nerve.
Diagnostics
The following options are available for diagnosing possible damage to the peroneal nerve: With an EMG (electromyography), the electrical muscle activity of the muscles supplied by the nerve can be assessed. An ENG (electroneurography) of branches of the nervus peroneus (nervus peroneus communis, profundus and superficialis) can be used to measure the nerve conduction velocity in order to obtain information about the nerve conduction velocity. Neurological examination of the extensor muscles of the lower leg is also extremely helpful in assessing the integrity of the peroneal nerve.
Therapy
If the complaints are based only on compression of the nerve without permanent damage, it can recover by relief. However, if the nerve is irreversible and severely damaged, so that there is a reduction in the strength of the muscles supplied, up to and including paresis, sometimes only a compensatory build-up of surrounding muscles can be used for therapy. A restoration of the initial state is usually not feasible.
Prognosis
Nerves are very sensitive and, in the event of major damage, usually cannot heal completely. This means that serious nerve damage can leave behind remnants of muscle paralysis and numbness.
