Peroneal Nerve Palsy in the Knee
A pinched nerve can occur wherever there is a nerve if that nerve, or a group of nerves, is somehow pinched by a bone or surrounding tissue. This can happen during pregnancy, or as a result of overuse of your knee, trauma or disease, according to Merck.com.
Cause
A pinched nerve in your knee may be the result of pressure being put on the peroneal nerve, which can result in peroneal nerve palsy. This condition is apt to occur if you are confined to bed, if you are thin and always cross your legs when sitting, or if you are strapped into a wheelchair incorrectly.
Identification
According to the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, the peroneal nerve is located on the outside of your lower knee. Its job is to send impulses to, and from, the leg to the toes and to the feet. If this nerve is pinched or otherwise damaged, foot drop can occur, which means that you are unable to raise your foot upwards.
At Risk
Your chances of suffering from a pinched knee nerve increase if you have diabetes, have recently lost weight, have inflammation in your blood vessels, which is called polyarteritis nodosa, or have sustained an injury to your knee.
Referred Pain
If you have a pinched nerve in a site other than your knee, such as in your buttocks, you may feel referred pain in your knee. Symptoms can travel "downstream" from the affected site.
Treatment
Treatment for a pinched nerve in the knee may include taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); applying heat on the afflicted area and resting and/or not putting pressure on the nerve for awhile.
Tags: your knee, peroneal nerve, pinched nerve, pinched nerve