A patient sustains a fracture of the neck of the fibula and presents with foot drop. In addition to loss of ankle dorsiflexion, the expected sensory deficit is over the:

• A Lateral border of the foot and sole
• B Medial border of the foot up to the great toe
• C Dorsum of the foot and first web space ✓
• D Sole and plantar surfaces of all toes

Explanation

The common peroneal nerve winds around the neck of the fibula where it is superficial and vulnerable to fracture or compression. It divides into the deep and superficial peroneal nerves; the deep branch supplies the first web space, so its loss is the classic sensory finding. The medial border is supplied by the saphenous nerve from the femoral nerve, which kills option B, while sole sensations travel with the tibial nerve.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.