Which nerve injury can occur with prolonged compression of the lower leg and presents with foot drop?

• A. Tibial nerve injury
• B. Common peroneal nerve injury
• C. Deep peroneal nerve injury
• D. Femoral nerve injury

Answer: (C)

Prolonged compression of the lower leg can injure the nerves that supply the anterior (dorsiflexor) muscles. The deep peroneal nerve runs in the anterior compartment and innervates the tibialis anterior and the toe extensors. When this nerve is damaged, dorsiflexion weakness ensues, leading to foot drop as you try to lift the front of the foot during walking. Sensation is often affected in the small area between the first and second toes, reflecting the deep peroneal nerve’s cutaneous territory.

This fits best with foot drop from anterior leg compression because it directly targets the dorsiflexors. By contrast, tibial nerve injury typically impairs plantarflexion and toe flexion, a femoral nerve injury would affect hip flexion and knee extension, and common peroneal nerve injury can cause foot drop as well but is more classically linked to injury around the fibular neck rather than a generalized anterior-compartment compression. The scenario emphasizing lower leg compression aligns with deep peroneal nerve involvement and the resulting dorsiflexion weakness.