J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2013 May;53(5):269-273. 10.3340/jkns.2013.53.5.269.

Clinical Characteristics of Peroneal Nerve Palsy by Posture

• Yu JK
• Yang JS
• Kang SH
• Cho YJ

• KMID: 1426193
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2013.53.5.269

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Posture induced common peroneal nerve (CPN) palsy is usually produced during the prolonged squatting or habitual leg crossing while seated, especially in Asian culture and is manifested by the onset of foot drop. Because of its similarity to discogenic foot drop, patients may be diagnosed with a lumbar disc disorder, and in some patients, surgeons may perform unnecessary examinations and even spine surgery. The purpose of our study is to establish the clinical characteristics and diagnostic assessment of posture induced CPN palsy.
METHODS
From June 2008 to June 2012, a retrospective study was performed on 26 patients diagnosed with peroneal nerve palsy in neurophysiologic study among patients experiencing foot drop after maintaining a certain posture for a long time.
RESULTS
The inducing postures were squatting (14 patients), sitting cross-legged (6 patients), lying down (4 patients), walking and driving. The mean prolonged neural injury time was 124.2 minutes. The most common clinical presentation was foot drop and the most affected sensory area was dorsum of the foot with tingling sensation (14 patients), numbness (8 patients), and burning sensation (4 patients). The clinical improvement began after a mean 6 weeks, which is not related to neural injury times. Electrophysiology evaluation was performed after 2 weeks later and showed delayed CPN nerve conduction study (NCS) in 24 patients and deep peroneal nerve in 2 patients.
CONCLUSION
We suggest that an awareness of these clinical characteristics and diagnostic assessment methods may help clinicians make a diagnosis of posture induced CPN palsy and preclude unnecessary studies or inappropriate treatment in foot drop patients.

Keyword

Peroneal nerve; Foot drop; Entrapment syndrome; Radiculopathy

MeSH Terms

Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Burns
Deception
Electrophysiology
Foot
Humans
Hypesthesia
Leg
Neural Conduction
Paralysis
Peroneal Nerve
Posture
Radiculopathy
Retrospective Studies
Sensation
Spine
Walking

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