| Saphenous nerve |
Largest branch of the femoral nerve arising from L1, L2, L3; the nerve leaves the femoral triangle to enter the adductor canal with the femoral artery and vein |
The nerve can be injured in the adductor canal by local trauma, infection, or inflammation; the nerve may also be injured at the knee due to arthroscopy, trauma, or pes anserine bursitis |
Medial knee and/or leg pain |
| Common peroneal nerve |
As the nerve enters the peroneal (fibular) tunnel, it divides into deep and superficial branches |
Compression at the peroneal tunnel from sources such as casts, surgery, osteophytes, and cysts or by sitting in a prolonged crossed-legged position |
Sensory disturbances in the lateral lower leg and foot with possible foot drop and pain at site of compression |
| Sural nerve |
Begins with its main component from the tibial nerve in the popliteal fossa and runs distally between the 2 heads of the gastrocnemius |
Compression from mass lesions, scar tissue, ganglia, surgical trauma, or extrinsic compression from casts or tight ski boots |
Shooting pain in the cutaneous distribution of the nerve (lateral aspect of ankle/foot) |
| Superficial peroneal nerve |
Travels in the lateral compartment and supplies the peroneus longus and brevis muscles; pierces the deep fascia and emerges into the subcutaneous fat at approximately 10 to 15 cm above the tip of the lateral malleolus |
Local trauma or compression is the most common underlying cause; nontraumatic causes are commonly due to anatomic variations, such as fascial defects with or without muscle herniation about the lateral lower leg |
Numbness or paresthesia in the distribution of the nerve or lateral leg pain; more typically present with vague pain over the dorsum of the foot; symptoms increase with activity |
