A patient who underwent prolonged lithotomy position during surgery presents with inability to dorsiflex the foot and evert it, with numbness over the lateral leg and dorsum of foot. The deep peroneal nerve is intact (ankle dorsiflexion partially preserved). Which nerve is most likely compressed?

• A Superficial peroneal nerve only
• B Sural nerve
• C Common peroneal (fibular) nerve at the fibular neck ✓
• D Tibial nerve

Explanation

Common peroneal nerve compression at the fibular neck causes weakness of both dorsiflexion (deep peroneal — extensor digitorum, tibialis anterior) and eversion (superficial peroneal — peroneus longus and brevis) along with sensory loss on the lateral leg and dorsum of foot. While the question states deep peroneal function is 'partially preserved,' lithotomy positioning most commonly causes common peroneal nerve injury, affecting both divisions. Isolated superficial peroneal nerve injury causes loss of eversion without dorsiflexion weakness. The fibular neck is the classic compression point.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.