Can a Brain Specialist Help With Peroneal Nerve Pain?
Living with nerve pain can be frustrating and even life-changing. One type of nerve pain that many people deal with is peroneal nerve pain. The peroneal nerve plays a key role in how your foot and lower leg function, so if it becomes injured or compressed, your ability to walk, move, and stay comfortable can be seriously affected.
Many people experience peripheral nerve problems every year, and peroneal nerve pain is one of the most common lower limb nerve conditions. In fact, peroneal neuropathy is considered the most frequent mononeuropathy affecting the lower limb. A medical analysis also showed subclinical peroneal nerve dysfunction in 31% of hospitalized patients.
Understanding what the peroneal nerve does and how specialists like neurologists and neurosurgeons can help in cases of peroneal nerve damage is important to finding effective relief.
What Is the Peroneal Nerve?
The peroneal nerve is a branch of the sciatic nerve, one of the largest nerves in the body. The peroneal nerve branches off behind the knee and travels down the outer part of the lower leg. It continues down into the foot and toes.
The peroneal nerve is responsible for controlling important movements in the foot and ankle. It allows you to lift your foot, move your toes, and turn your foot outward. Damage or injury to the peroneal nerve can affect all of these movements, leading to weakness, numbness, or even a condition known as “foot drop,” where lifting the front part of the foot becomes difficult.
What Causes Peroneal Nerve Pain?
Peroneal nerve pain can develop from several different causes. It often stems from trauma, underlying medical conditions, or compression of the nerve itself.
Traumatic injuries
Injuries to the leg and knee are among the most common causes of peroneal nerve damage, including:
- Knee fractures
- Leg fractures
- Knee dislocations
- Ankle injuries
Because the peroneal nerve runs close to the surface of the skin near the knee, it is particularly vulnerable to injury.
Medical conditions
Certain health problems can also lead to peroneal nerve damage, including:
- Tumors pressing on the nerve
- Nerve cysts
- Blood clots
- Diabetes, which can cause nerve damage over time
- Autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis
These conditions can either directly harm the nerve or create swelling and pressure that damages it.
Compression
Sometimes, peroneal nerve pain results from pressure on the nerve due to:
- Tight bandages or casts
- Crossing your legs too often
- Prolonged bed rest without enough movement
Over time, compression can damage the nerve and lead to lasting pain or weakness.
Recognizing the causes of peroneal nerve pain is the first step toward effective treatment. Early diagnosis and care can help prevent further nerve damage and support a faster, stronger recovery.
How Brain Specialists Can Help Treat Peroneal Nerve Pain
The good news is that treatment options exist. Depending on the severity of the injury, brain specialists like neurologists and neurosurgeons are often the right people to turn to for help.
At Dickinson Neurological Surgery in Idaho Falls, our specialists are trained to diagnose and treat nerve problems like peroneal nerve pain. We evaluate each case individually and offer both non-surgical and surgical treatments depending on what is best for the patient.
Non-surgical treatments
For mild to moderate cases, non-surgical options might be recommended, such as:
- Braces or orthotic devices to support the foot and ankle
- Physical therapy to strengthen muscles and improve mobility
- Injections to reduce inflammation and relieve pain
- Nerve stimulation therapies to help restore nerve function
- Medications to manage pain and underlying conditions
These approaches can help many patients recover movement and reduce pain without the need of surgery.
Surgical options
When non-surgical treatments are not enough, surgery may be an option. Two common surgical procedures include:
- Nerve decompression: This surgery involves removing anything pressing on the nerve, such as scar tissue or tight muscles.
- Nerve release: This procedure frees the nerve from any surrounding tissues that are causing restriction.
Both surgeries are typically performed under anesthesia and may take about one to two hours. Recovery times vary, but most patients can return to light activity within a few weeks, and full recovery is expected within a few months, depending on the extent of the injury and the patient’s overall health.
Peroneal Nerve Pain Treatment Near You
Access to top-level peroneal nerve pain care is available in Idaho Falls. Neurosurgeon John Dickinson at Dickinson Neurological Surgery is highly trained and experienced in treating peroneal nerve issues, including performing peroneal (fibular) nerve release procedures.
Dr. Dickinson specializes in diagnosing complex nerve problems and creating personalized treatment plans for each patient. As a board-certified neurosurgeon, Dr. Dickinson can provide advanced, minimally invasive spinal and neurological techniques to patients in and around Idaho Falls and Rexburg. He focuses on achieving the best outcomes with the least invasive methods whenever possible, offering procedures such as spinal decompression and image-guided surgery.
With strong ties to East Idaho, Dr. Dickinson is passionate about providing compassionate, patient-centered care and exploring all available non-surgical and surgical options to improve his patients’ quality of life.
Contact Dickinson Neurological Surgery
If you or someone you love is dealing with peroneal nerve pain, seek help from a knowledgeable and skilled specialist.
Contact Dickinson Neurological Surgery today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help. Our caring team in Idaho Falls is ready to guide you through your treatment options and help you find relief.