Common peroneal neuropathy often presents with sensory symptoms in which distribution?

Common peroneal neuropathy often presents with sensory symptoms in which distribution?

• A. Line of pain or paresthesia in the knee, calf, or foot
• B. Numbness in the hip
• C. Tingling in the shoulder
• D. Pain in the arch of the foot only

Answer: (A)

The key idea is the sensory territory of the common peroneal nerve. This nerve wraps around the fibular neck and supplies sensation to the anterolateral leg and the dorsum of the foot. When it’s affected, patients typically notice a band or line of sensory change that can span from near the knee down toward the foot—i.e., a line of pain or paresthesias in the knee, calf, or foot. That pattern fits best because it follows the nerve’s path. Numbness in the hip or tingling in the shoulder involve other nerves and regions, not the peroneal distribution. Pain confined to the arch of the foot points more toward other nerves in the foot (like the tibial or its branches) rather than the dorsolateral leg and dorsum.

The key idea is the sensory territory of the common peroneal nerve. This nerve wraps around the fibular neck and supplies sensation to the anterolateral leg and the dorsum of the foot. When it’s affected, patients typically notice a band or line of sensory change that can span from near the knee down toward the foot—i.e., a line of pain or paresthesias in the knee, calf, or foot. That pattern fits best because it follows the nerve’s path.

Numbness in the hip or tingling in the shoulder involve other nerves and regions, not the peroneal distribution. Pain confined to the arch of the foot points more toward other nerves in the foot (like the tibial or its branches) rather than the dorsolateral leg and dorsum.