The nerve we are focusing on today is the superficial peroneal nerve. This nerve originates from the outside of the knee, where the common peroneal nerve starts. It then splits into two branches: the superficial peroneal nerve and the deep peroneal nerve.
The superficial peroneal nerve controls foot eversion (bringing the foot outward) and provides sensation to almost the entire top of the foot. Some patients may experience compression of both the common peroneal nerve and the superficial peroneal nerve, while others may only have compression of the superficial peroneal nerve.
To locate this nerve, find the ankle bone on the outside of the ankle. The superficial peroneal nerve emerges from the deep fascia about a handbreadth above the ankle bone. You can check for sensitivity by placing your index finger and thumb (or middle finger and thumb) together and gently tapping along the outer side of the leg, just in front of the fibula.
If tapping along this path causes a jolt of electricity down to the foot, this is likely the superficial peroneal nerve. Patients experiencing burning, tingling, searing pain, numbness, or a crawling sensation on the top of the foot may have compression at this site.
The superficial peroneal nerve travels from the knee down the leg, passing through the deep fascia of the lateral compartment. If the muscle swells or the nerve gets pinched in this tight space, it can cause buzzing, tingling, and numbness across the top of the foot. The nerve then branches out, supplying sensation to the big toe, second, third, and fourth toes, and merging with other nerves.
Identifying and addressing superficial peroneal nerve compression can help relieve these symptoms and restore normal sensation and function.
