The relationship between the peroneal nerves and the anatomical structures
near the fibular head were studied in 20 cadavers. It was the purpose to de
fine the boundaries of a "safe" area when performing a biopsy of the fibula
r head. The distances between the proximal end of the fibular head and the
deep peroneal nerve (26+/-0.32 mm) and the intermuscular septum (15+/-0.19
mm) were measured, as well as the angle between the deep peroneal nerve and
the fibula as seen in the A-P view (23.5+/-3.5 degrees). We considered tha
t biopsies should be performed with an anterolateral approach in the safe a
rea formed by the fibular head and the deep peroneal nerve in the anterior
compartment.