FACTS & HINTS

HIGH-YIELD FACTS

Clinical Points

Chronic Arterial Occlusive Disease

Caused byatherosclerosis

In the lower limb, most commonlyaffects femoral arteryas it passes through adductor canal

Symptoms of intermittent claudication (pain in a muscle group because of poor blood supply) brought on byexertion in the earlyphase; may progress to pain at rest

Ischemic ulcers can also develop

Patients with advanced disease require vascular surgical intervention with bypass or endarterectomy

Foot Drop

Injuryto the common fibular nerve can result in loss of eversion and dorsiflexion of the foot

Foot drops and toes drag on the ground when walking unless high-stepping gait is employed

Variable amount of sensation also lost on the anterolateral aspect of the leg and dorsum of foot

Nerve is vulnerable owing to superficial course as it wraps around fibular neck

Nerve maybe severed during fracture of fibula or dislocation of knee joint

Meralgia Paresthetica (Gunslinger's Neuralgia)

Compression of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh against the anterior superior iliac spine

Causes a stinging or burning sensation in the anterolateral thigh

Was caused bylow-riding gun belt in the Old West

MNEMONICS

Memory Aids

Nerves of the leg and their functions:

FED: (Fibular nerve Everts and Dorsiflexes the foot)

TIP: (Tibial nerve Inverts and Plantarflexes the foot)

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