The sural nerve in the foot and ankle: an anatomic study with clinical and surgical implications.
Publication/Presentation Date
9-1-1994
Abstract
Operative procedures and traumatic injuries of the lateral foot and ankle place the sural nerve and its branches at risk. Anatomic studies quantifying the course of this nerve are sparse. In this study, 17 cadaver specimens were dissected to clarify its course and branching patterns. Despite multiple variations of the nerve and its branches, description of the course of a "typical" nerve trunk was possible. The nerve was found to lie in close proximity to the Achilles tendon at a level of 7 cm above the tip of the lateral malleolus. In the hindfoot, the nerve coursed 14 mm posterior and 14 mm inferior to the malleolus. Distally, it crossed superficial to the peroneus longus and brevis tendons. An anastomotic branch coursing into the sinus tarsi area was observed in 24% of specimens. An understanding of the course and distribution of the sural nerve may lessen the risk of iatrogenic injury.
Volume
15
Issue
9
First Page
490
Last Page
494
ISSN
1071-1007
Published In/Presented At
Lawrence, S. J., & Botte, M. J. (1994). The sural nerve in the foot and ankle: an anatomic study with clinical and surgical implications. Foot & ankle international, 15(9), 490–494. https://doi.org/10.1177/107110079401500906
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
7820241
Department(s)
Department of Surgery
Document Type
Article