To enhance the accuracy for determining the precise localization, the findings of the compound nerve action potentials (CNAPs) of the common peroneal nerve (CPN) were investigated in patients with common peroneal mononeuropathy (CPM) in the knee, and the sural sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) were also analyzed. Twenty-five patients with CPM in the knee were retrospectively reviewed. The findings of the CNAPs of the CPN recorded at the fibular neck and the sural SNAPs were analyzed. The lesion was localized at the fibular head (abnormal CNAPs) and at or distal to the fibular head (normal CNAPs). Seven patients were diagnosed as having a lesion at or distal to the fibular neck, and 18 cases were diagnosed as having a fibular head lesion. The sural SNAPs were normal in all the cases of lesion at or distal to the fibular neck. Among 18 cases of fibular head lesion, the sural SNAPs were normal in 7 patients: two cases of conduction block and 5 cases of mild axon loss. Eleven patients showed abnormal sural SNAPs. Of those, 9 cases were severe axon loss lesions and 2 patients were diagnosed as having severe axon loss with conduction block. The recording of the CNAPs may enhance precise localization of CPM in the knee. Moreover, the sural SNAPs could be affected by severe axonal lesion at the fibular head.
Action Potentials ; Humans ; Peroneal Nerve/*physiopathology ; Peroneal Neuropathies/*physiopathology ; Sural Nerve/*physiopathology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of forensic clinical identification on common peroneal nerve injury in traffic accident. METHODS: Eight cases of common peroneal nerve injury in traffic accidents were analyzed, including general condition of the wounded, the way of injury, the imaging results, the EMG results, and the degree of injury, etc. RESULTS: In 8 cases, 2 cases of complete common peroneal nerve injury were determined to grade 9 (disability degree) and 6 cases of partial common peroneal nerve injury were determined to grade 10 (disability degree). CONCLUSION By comparison, the disability degree of complete common peroneal nerve injury is higher than that of partial common peroneal nerve injury. The forensic clinical identification of common peroneal nerve should be made with synthetical consideration of medical history, symptoms, and auxiliary examinations.
Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Disability Evaluation ; Expert Testimony ; Female ; Fibula/injuries* ; Fractures, Bone/physiopathology* ; Humans ; Leg Injuries/physiopathology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peroneal Nerve/physiopathology* ; Peroneal Neuropathies/physiopathology* ; Radiography ; Trauma Severity Indices