Bony entrapment of the superficial peroneal nerve

Peripheral nerve injury occasionally results from long bone fractures, but bony entrapment of a peripheral nerve occurs infrequently. Bony entrapment of a peripheral nerve is usually associated with upper extremity fractures. In a 34-year-old man bony entrapment of the superficial peroneal nerve occurred in a healed midshaft fibular fracture. The patient complained of progressive pain over the distribution of the superficial peroneal nerve after sustaining a closed displaced tibial and fibular fracture that healed in nonanatomic alignment. Exploration revealed bony entrapment of the superficial peroneal nerve in the fracture callus, with reactive neuroma formation. Excision of the neuroma resulted in complete relief of the symptoms. Persistent pain over the distal anterolateral leg and dorsal foot following a fibular and tibial fracture is usually derived from a compartment syndrome. If this has been ruled out, the differential diagnosis should include bony entrapment of the superficial peroneal nerve.