title: Common peroneal nerve decompression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Common peroneal neuropathy occurs as a result of compression of the common peroneal nerve (CPN) in the fibro-osseous tunnel between the fibular neck and the tendinous arch of peroneus longus. High rates of spontaneous recovery have been reported. However, there is a subset of patients who require decompression of the CPN at the fibular neck.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective analysis of patients that underwent decompressive surgery of the CPN. A total of 22 operations performed on 20 patients were analysed. Pre-operative workup included clinical examination, electrophysiological testing and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) where indicated. Post-operatively, all patients were examined clinically for neurological recovery and where indicated, electrophysiology was repeated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  74% of patients (14 out of 19) with motor weakness improved, as did 68% with sensory dysfunction. 69% with foot drop improved to have no foot drop, most of these were those that underwent surgery within 12 months of symptom onset (OR 14.7, 95% CI 1.4–133.5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with foot drop fared significantly better if their duration of symptoms prior to surgery was less than 12 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia. maheshvarasharma@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mahesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramanan
authors.forename: K Nadana
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Chandran
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020427:Peroneal Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult