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Recurrent position and innervation pattern of recurrent peroneal nerve: A cadaveric study
Daisuke Mizuno1, Kanae Umemoto2, Kaori Fukushige1
1Department of Anatomy, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan.
The Knee
|November 16, 2020
Summary
The recurrent peroneal nerve (RPN) is consistently located near the fibula and often innervates the patellar tendon or infrapatellar fat pad. This anatomical knowledge aids knee surgery and diagnosis of lower patellar pain.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The recurrent peroneal nerve (RPN) innervates the lower patellar region.
- Damage to the RPN is linked to lower patellar pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anatomical position of the recurrent peroneal nerve (RPN).
- To determine the innervation pattern of the RPN in the knee region.
Main Methods:
- Examination of 50 legs from 34 cadavers (excluding those with knee deformities).
- Assessment of the recurrent peroneal nerve's (RPN) position relative to the fibula.
- Analysis of RPN innervation to the patellar tendon and infrapatellar fat pad.
Main Results:
- The recurrent peroneal nerve (RPN) was consistently located approximately 27.9 mm from the fibular tip.
- RPN innervated the patellar tendon (10%), infrapatellar fat pad (26%), or both (40%).
- No significant sex-based differences were found in RPN position or innervation patterns.
Conclusions:
- The recurrent peroneal nerve's (RPN) position is relatively fixed.
- A high percentage (76%) of RPNs innervate the patellar tendon or infrapatellar fat pad.
- Findings are valuable for knee surgery and diagnosing lower patellar pain.
