The peroneal nerve is located just below the knee where it branches off from the sciatic nerve. At the knee, it divides into two branches, one of which stimulates the lateral and anterior parts of your leg. When the peroneal nerve is compressed, it can cause the foot to drop. This condition affects people of all ages and typically requires treatment to correct.
Learn the causes and symptoms of peroneal neuropathy and how to get a proper diagnosis and treatment at Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic.
You need the perineal nerve to supply movement and feeling to your toes, foot, and lower leg. If the nerve is compressed or damaged, it results in a peripheral neuropathy, meaning damage that occurs to nerves outside the spinal cord and brain. When a dysfunction occurs to a single nerve, it’s called a mononeuropathy. This typically concentrates symptoms in one area.
Sometimes, the myelin sheath covering the nerve cell branch may also receive damage. The severity of the damage determines the intensity of your symptoms.
Common causes of peroneal neuropathy include the following:
At Jackson Neurosurgeon Clinic, Dr. Lewis commonly examines patients experiencing the symptoms of this disorder. You can rely on his services as a trained and highly accomplished neurosurgeon to accurately diagnose perineal neuropathy and other nerve damage. Come to us with questions and concerns on your condition.
If you are very thin or have anorexia nervosa, your risk for peroneal neuropathy increases. Certain autoimmune conditions may also trigger this disorder. If you have suffered nerve damage from diabetes or alcohol use, you may also be more susceptible to peroneal neuropathy.
Here are the most common symptoms associated with this condition:
When you come to Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic for treatment of peroneal neuropathy, we focus on improving your independence and mobility. If the condition was caused by an underlying illness, that becomes the priority in our treatment methodology.
Cortisone injections can reduce inflammation and help take the pressure off the nerve. However, if the disorder persists or impacts your mobility, you may need surgery. Dr. Lewis can relieve pressure on the nerve during surgery and can also remove tumors compressing the nerve.
If a splint or dressing on your leg causes numbness, contact your provider to avoid permanent damage.
We often recommend padding the knee as a reminder not to cross your legs, as this can aggravate the disorder.
Dr. Lewis received his education at Harvard, Georgetown, and The Cleveland Medical Center. He is a widely respected teacher, lecturer, physician, and surgeon who has published over 50 works related to the field of neurosurgery and has much to offer in the way of compassion, surgical skills, and experience. Book a consultation with us today to find out how we can help relieve your peroneal neuropathy and other conditions impacting the nervous system.
Call (601) 366-1011 to schedule an appointment to determine whether you have peroneal neuropathy and to receive the proper diagnosis and treatment. We’ll find a solution that works for you.