Which nerve damage is most likely to result in foot drop?

Foot drop is a condition characterized by difficulty in lifting the front part of the foot, which can lead to dragging of the foot while walking. This condition is most commonly associated with damage to the peroneal nerve, which is a branch of the sciatic nerve that innervates the muscles responsible for dorsiflexion of the foot.

The peroneal nerve controls the ankle's ability to lift the foot and also influences the muscles involved in eversion of the foot. When this nerve is impaired, the muscles cannot function properly, leading to a loss of dorsiflexion and resulting in foot drop. This is often seen in situations where the peroneal nerve is compressed or stretched, such as with prolonged pressure on the outside of the knee, or as a result of a common fibular nerve injury.

In contrast, damage to the tibial nerve primarily affects plantar flexion and the equilibrium of the foot's arch, while femoral nerve injury impacts the ability to extend the knee rather than lift the foot. Sciatic nerve damage can lead to a broader range of function loss, but since the peroneal nerve specifically governs dorsiflexion, it is the most likely cause of foot drop. Hence, injury to the peroneal