A history of fibular neck injury leading to foot drop and sensory impairment in the foot most likely indicates injury to which nerve?

• A. Superficial peroneal nerve
• B. Tibial nerve
• C. Deep peroneal nerve
• D. Common peroneal nerve

Answer: (D)

In cases of fibular neck injury, the most likely affected structure is the common peroneal nerve. This nerve is particularly vulnerable to injury at the fibular neck due to its superficial location as it wraps around the fibula.

Injury to the common peroneal nerve can lead to foot drop, which is characterized by the inability to dorsiflex the foot at the ankle. This results in a gait disturbance where the person may lift their knee higher than normal to prevent dragging the foot on the ground. Furthermore, because the common peroneal nerve branches into the deep and superficial peroneal nerves, a lesion here can impact both the muscles and the sensory functions they innervate.

Sensory impairment in the foot such as numbness or tingling can also occur, reflecting damage to the areas innervated by the deep and superficial branches of the common peroneal nerve. Damage to this nerve aligns with the history of a fibular neck injury and the resulting clinical features of foot drop and sensory deficit, confirming that this is the correct choice.