Peroneal Nerve Compression at the Knee

Peroneal nerve compression happens when a major nerve in the leg becomes squeezed or irritated. This nerve branches from the sciatic nerve in the thigh and splits into two smaller nerves in the lower leg. The peroneal nerve is most often compressed on the outer side of the knee, near the fibular bone. When this happens, people may feel sharp pain along the outside of the knee, weakness when lifting the foot (foot drop), and numbness or tingling on the top of the foot. Compression of the deep peroneal nerve can cause numbness between the first and second toes. Common causes include sitting with legs crossed for long periods, wearing a tight brace or cast, or squatting for a long time. More serious causes include knee dislocations or fractures of the fibula.

Diagnosing Peroneal Nerve Compression at the Knee

A doctor will begin by asking questions about your symptoms and how they started. They may press gently over the nerve to check for Tinel’s Sign, which creates a tingling or “electric shock” feeling if the nerve is irritated. Your doctor may also watch how you walk. People with peroneal nerve compression sometimes develop a drop foot witha resulting a high steppage gait, where they lift their leg higher than normal because the foot does not lift properly.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on what is causing the nerve to be compressed. Removing the source of pressure—such as changing posture, adjusting a brace, or avoiding long periods of squatting—can help symptoms improve. Doctors may also suggest a brace to support the foot or physical therapy, including nerve gliding or nerve flossing exercises that help the nerve move smoothly. In some cases, a procedure called hydrodissection may be used. This involves injecting fluid around the nerve to reduce pressure. If symptoms do not improve, surgery to release the nerve may be considered.

Edited by Amari Eubanks and Stephen Pinney MD, December 22nd 2025.