Anatomical study of fascial and aponeurotic bands in the anterolateral leg.

Abstract

Foot drop can have debilitating effects on quality of life and is usually idiopathic. A better understanding of the nerve relationships of the anterior compartment of the leg could be important in treating some patients. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the deep fibular nerve and its relationship to various connective tissue bands along its course. Fifty-two cadaveric legs were dissected to reveal and identify the branching patterns of the common, superficial, and deep fibular nerves and their passage through the leg's posterior intermuscular septum (PIMS) and anterior intermuscular septum (AIMS). The oval passageway of the common fibular nerve was classified as the superior fibular band, and the crescentic passageways of the deep and superficial fibular nerves were classified as the middle and inferior fibular bands. The inferior boundary of the oval-shaped superior fibular band of the PIMS was positioned at the lateral aspect of the superior most region of the fibular neck. The crescentic middle fibular band of the AIMS was present in 96.15% of legs, its inferior boundary being consistently positioned in 98% of them. The other 2% presented with a thin band of connective tissue in the absence of a distinguishable AIMS. The crescentic inferior fibular band of the AIMS was present in 17.31% of legs. There were no significant differences between right and left sides in the presence or classifications of the fibular bands. Connective tissue bands along the course of the fibular nerves are common and should be considered in idiopathic palsies of these nerves.