Common fibular nerve palsy due to the Fabella: A review

Abstract

AbstractOne of the most common nerve palsies – common fibular nerve palsy – can be caused by the variant small sesamoid bone in the posterolateral compartment of the knee joint known as the fabella. We compared and reviewed all reported cases of common fibular nerve palsy due to fabellae in the English literature. Compression can develop spontaneously or post‐surgically (total knee arthroplasty). Symptoms progress rapidly to complete foot drop. Among all the cases reviewed, 68.42% were males with a median age of 39.39 years. Fabella compression was more common in the left common fibular nerve (CFN) (63.16%). Both big (23 × 20 × 16 mm) and small (5 × 5 mm) fabellae can be responsible for compression. While diagnosis can be problematic, the treatment (either surgical fabellectomy or conservative) is relatively easy and brings quick improvement.