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What is the Peroneal Nerve?

Haven Esme
Haven Esme

The peroneal nerve is a human nerve that controls most of the sensation for the lower leg, including the toes and feet. Many animals have it, too. It is a branch of the sciatic nerve and it interacts in a number of important ways with many of the major muscle groups of the leg, including the peroneus longus and the peroneus brevis. No nerves truly control movement — their job is primarily the transmission of sensations to the brain — but the extent to which this nerve connects with and stimulates muscles gives it an unusually large role when it comes to things like toe curling and foot stretching. Problems with the nerve can cause a number of mobility issues as a result, and people usually need prompt medical care in case of injury to avoid permanent issues with movement and leg strength.

Where to Find It

The peroneal nerve supplies sensation and movement to the lower leg, toes, and feet.
The peroneal nerve supplies sensation and movement to the lower leg, toes, and feet.

The nerve typically runs the entire length of the leg, and is made up of three key segments or “branches.” It begins in the upper thigh at the top of the femur, and winds down the front of the leg; right around the so-called “funny bone” near the knee, it splits in two. A branch known as the “superficial fibular nerve” sits nearer the top of the surface of the leg muscles, typically on the front of the leg near the shin; the “deep fibular nerve” courses across the back, in most cases winding under the hamstring. The two meet again in the foot.

Main Function

Injury or trauma to the knee may cause peroneal nerve damage.
Injury or trauma to the knee may cause peroneal nerve damage.

The peroneal nerve serves many purposes. Like most nerves, its primary role is in delivering sensations from the nearby environment, here the leg, to the brain, and vice versa. The nerve is also somewhat unique in that it plays a role in movement, too. This is known scientifically as “innervation.” The nerve helps assist the major muscles of the leg such that a person can walk straight and have strength in the ankles and feet in addition to experiencing sensation in these same areas. Without this important nerve, people would have weakness in the ankles or feet, toes that drag when walking, and ongoing numbness or tingling at the top of the foot and in the lower leg.

Regularly wearing high boots may cause damage to the peroneal nerve.
Regularly wearing high boots may cause damage to the peroneal nerve.

Another benefit of the peroneal nerve is that it provides control over certain leg and toe muscles. If the nerve is destroyed or degeneration occurs, there is a loss of muscle control and muscle tone. Without the support from this nerve, most of the muscle mass in the lower leg could simply deteriorate.

Possibility of Damage

There are a number of ways this nerve can be damaged, but one of the most common causes is injury or trauma to the knee. The knee is where the nerve branches out, and injuries here can cause problems all up and down the leg as a consequence. The sheer volume of tendons and ligaments in the joint means that there are a number of different ways the nerve could be pinched or twisted, too.

Habitual leg crossing may cause damage to the peroneal nerve.
Habitual leg crossing may cause damage to the peroneal nerve.

A person doesn’t have to be in an accident or suffer a direct injury to the leg to risk damaging the nerve, though. In some cases regularly wearing high-heeled shoes, habitual leg crossing, and even pressure to the knee during deep sleep can cause problems with the nerve. Wearing tall boots that are tight along the calf can also cause damage if they put too much pressure on the skin. In addition, people who are extremely thin are at an increased risk of suffering damage to the nerve, usually for reasons of insulation and muscular strength. Proper nutrition is vital to maintaining the nerve's health, too.

Common Treatment Options

Diabetic patients may have an increased risk for peroneal nerve damage.
Diabetic patients may have an increased risk for peroneal nerve damage.

It’s usually pretty easy to correct nerve strain and pressure, but once there’s actually been an injury things can be much harder to solve. Injuries to this nerve tend to recover very poorly. In an attempt to repair damage to the peroneal nerve doctors may use surgical repair techniques that include nerve grafting, nerve suture, or decompression. In some cases a person may need a nerve transfer. This involves taking a branch from the lower leg muscle and connecting it to the muscle responsible for lifting the foot.

Discussion Comments

anon320293

The neurologist says I have neuropathy in my feet and some in my arms. I can't lift my heels off the floor and there is weakness in my feet and legs. I can't wear any type of heel in a shoe because it throws me on the balls of my feet and affects my balance. I don't have pain, except occasionally my feet get really hot at night. Is there anything I can do?

anon281743

I had a stroke and I have drop foot and this nerve damage, I think. But it feels like someone is stabbing me with a knife. I have been to doctors and they act like they don't want to deal with me. Which kind of doctor do I need to get with?

anon265573

Good info. I just suffered an injury to my peroneal nerve at work, and am looking to visit the doctor immediately.

anon164668

I'm 13 and i get numbness in my lower legs when i get active. My foot doctor said I've grown fast my peroneal nerve is stressed or stretched.

rallenwriter

Although peroneal nerve surgery can be very helpful in cases of damage to both the superior and superficial peroneal nerves, it is so important to catch this kind of thing early.

I truly can't stress it enough. If you ignore peroneal nerve symptoms, you could end up permanently disabled.

The long term effects of peroneal nerve damage are permanent numbness of the feet, permanent weakness of the feet and legs, and paralysis.

So don't mess around with it. If you think that you may have peroneal nerve damage, talk to your doctor ASAP.

EarlyForest

I had an aunt who was chronically underweight (she was anorexic), and who always complained of foot pain. She was always crossing her legs too.

Do you think that she could have somehow damaged her peroneal nerve, causing foot pain? Damage to the peroneal nerve and numbness are also associated, right?

She used to say her feet got numb really easily.

The more I read over this article and imagine the peroneal nerve location, the more I think that my aunt was showing peroneal nerve damage symptoms.

Very informative -- I'm glad I know about this now.

LittleMan

Nice article -- I like how you included a lot of different causes of peroneal nerve dysfunction. I never knew that the peroneal nerve and leg crossing were connected though -- nice research!

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    • The peroneal nerve supplies sensation and movement to the lower leg, toes, and feet.
      By: VladGavriloff
      The peroneal nerve supplies sensation and movement to the lower leg, toes, and feet.
    • Injury or trauma to the knee may cause peroneal nerve damage.
      By: Kurhan
      Injury or trauma to the knee may cause peroneal nerve damage.
    • Regularly wearing high boots may cause damage to the peroneal nerve.
      By: Mee Ting
      Regularly wearing high boots may cause damage to the peroneal nerve.
    • Habitual leg crossing may cause damage to the peroneal nerve.
      By: Ambrophoto
      Habitual leg crossing may cause damage to the peroneal nerve.
    • Diabetic patients may have an increased risk for peroneal nerve damage.
      By: Mercedes Fittipaldi
      Diabetic patients may have an increased risk for peroneal nerve damage.