Anterior innervation of the proximal tibiofibular joint

Abstract

Mucoid cysts compressing the common peroneal nerve have been reported. Whether these cysts are schwannoma or are synovial in nature is the subject of controversy in the medical literature. To contribute to this debate, the present study was designed to detail the anterior innervation of the proximal tibiofibular joint. We dissected 10 knees of five fresh cadavers after staining the tibiofibular joint under fluoroscopic guidance. Through a lateral approach near the fibular head, the common peroneal nerve was isolated then dissected distally to determine whether it or its branches ramified over the proximal tibiofibular joint. In all 10 legs, only one collateral branch was observed on the common peroneal nerve proximal to its terminal division. This collateral sent a branch to the proximal tibiofibular joint before penetrating the tibialis anterior muscle. The articular branch coursed in a superior and posterior direction approximately 1 cm to attain the tibiofibular joint. In no specimen did the deep or superficial peroneal nerves send a twig to the tibiofibular joint. This study confirms and clarifies prior descriptions of the innervation of the anterior aspect of the proximal tibiofibular joint. It clarifies the mechanisms of compression of the common peroneal nerve by synovial cysts that originate from the proximal tibiofibular joint and provides anatomical landmarks that should facilitate complete resection of these cysts.