Common Peroneal Nerve Tension

4/23/2015

A few months back I wrote a differential diagnosis POST discussing the intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerve vs. ATFL sprain. Last week I was working with a gentleman 4 weeks post inversion ankle sprain. The patient's subjective report: "My strength and ROM have significantly improved. I have minimal pain except a burning sensation on the top of my outer three toes." The burning sensation was increased with palpation and single leg weight bearing.

A common peroneal nerve stress test (SLUMP test while biasing the foot and ankle in PF/IN) revealed reproduction of the patient's symptoms. The symptoms met the 3 criteria for positive neural tension: 1. side to side difference 2. reproduction of the patient's symptoms 3. changes with a distant component.

How do you treat peripheral nerve tension?
The keys to treating nerve tension are:
1. Mobilization/manipulation of the joints which the nerve passes
2. Nerve gliding/sliding exercises
3. Soft tissue mobilization
4. Light endurance exercises.
5. Education

My daily treatment to give you an idea how to treat common peroneal nerve tension:
First, I manipulated the mid-thoracic spine to mobilize the sympathetic nervous system.
Then I reassessed the asterisk sign. Symptoms improved (SLUMP test with PF/IN bias), but were not abolished.
Next, I manipulated L4-L5 to further mobilize the common peroneal nerve.
Reassessing the asterisk sign completely relieved the patient's symptoms.
Third, I addressed talocrural joint mobility since the joint was hypomobilie and affecting the ability to heel to toe strike
Fourth, I performed endurance and corrective exercises, I had the patient perform 15 minutes on the stationary bike, followed by two ankle mobility exercises, calf raises, and gait training on the treadmill promoting heel to toe progression and toe off.

Would you have done anything differently?

Jim

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5 Comments

Steve Goldrick link

4/29/2015 12:53:36 pm

Jim, really good treatment program. Something that I have been embracing and using lately with good results is the whole pain science approach. No matter what tissue is being snagged, irritated, stretching, etc causing nociceptive bombardment of the thalamus, the brain has the ultimate job as the "motherboard of the nervous system" as I call it to determine if something is threatening enough to cause pain. After using analogies to explain how pain is really equated to this "sensitive alarm system" I explain that exercise, neuro dynamics, manips, soft tissue, Etc all help to reduce the sensitivity but pain science education and its effects to empower the patient is the foundation of it all. Did you go into that a great deal with this guy? Do you discuss the current pain science literature with most of your patients. I didn't use to.. I'm a recovering biomechanist as they say, but I have seen ridiculous results and significant pain reduction just by sitting down and brewing someone a cup of coffee on visit 2 and hammering out pain education than any other thing I used to do in the past.. I didn't see a prescriptive neuro dynamics exercise given.. Did you give him one? Which one do you like? Slump position like your concordant sign and use distal joint movements to do the neuro dynamic or more a unloaded SLR type position?
Good overall plan and case though Jim

Jim

5/10/2015 09:20:27 am

Steve,

Thank you for the comment. Sorry for not replying to this sooner. You bring up some excellent points in your comments. With this specific case, I did not have enough time to give appropriate neuroscience education. Fortunately the patient was not presenting with chronic symptoms so I felt 'ok' with that choice. I agree with you that any time spent discussing pain science is time well spent. Sometimes the patient requires that knowledge prior to any hands on therapy. As for neuro mobilization exercise prescription, I had him perform 10 repetitions slowly 2-3x/day in the SLUMP position. I chose this position because I felt it would be easiest for him to perform and reassessing concordant sign is easier as well. I chose 10 repetitions because I did not want to flare him up & I saw a noticeable change after 10 reps in the clinic.

Thanks again for your comment.

Jim Heafner

Kate Phillips

3/25/2023 12:12:10 pm

Hi Jim,

I am an avid runner and have been sidelined for 3 months now. I was initially diagnosed with a high risk midtibial stress fracture after showing on xray but after MRI nothing showed. I have excruciating pain mid tibia with I bend my knee to run. After months of DYI I now suspect peroneal nerve entrapment and I have no clue how to help myself. Does this sound like peroneal nerve entrapment could be the culprit. I am beyond frustrated at this point because no one seems to know what is going on. Any clue as to what might be going on would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance. Kate Phillips

https://magicalkatrina.com/magiciansblog/o5rgbeo0c2j8evxet1yv5wksir8jzz link

10/20/2023 02:49:51 am

Common Peroneal Nerve Tension refers to the condition where the peroneal nerve, a major nerve in the leg, experiences increased pressure or stretching, leading to discomfort and potential complications. This issue can result from various factors such as injury, compression, or underlying health conditions. Individuals experiencing symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness in the lower leg and foot should seek medical attention promptly. Understanding the causes and symptoms is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective management. To learn more about this topic, you can visit https://magicalkatrina.com/magiciansblog/o5rgbeo0c2j8evxet1yv5wksir8jzz for valuable insights and information.

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5/27/2025 03:19:58 am

Jumping over obstacles to the music? Sounds easy, but playing Geometry Dash is the way to know!

Common Peroneal Nerve Tension

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