National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

Which nerve is likely involved in a patient unable to dorsiflex the foot with a history of anterior compartment syndrome?

1. Medial plantar nerve

2. Deep fibular nerve

3. Tibial nerve

4. Lateral plantar nerve

The correct answer is: Deep fibular nerve

The correct response is the deep fibular nerve, which plays a crucial role in the ability to dorsiflex the foot. Dorsiflexion is the movement that raises the foot upwards towards the shin, primarily executed by muscles located in the anterior compartment of the leg. The deep fibular nerve innervates these muscles, including the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus, all of which are essential for proper dorsiflexion. In cases of anterior compartment syndrome, increased pressure within the compartment can lead to nerve injury and muscle ischemia. Given that the deep fibular nerve is responsible for innervating the muscles responsible for dorsiflexion, any compromise to this nerve would directly impact the patient's ability to perform this movement. The symptoms of weakness or inability to dorsiflex the foot typically would correlate with an issue affecting the deep fibular nerve due to its key role in this specific motor function. Other nerves listed do not directly correlate with foot dorsiflexion: - The medial plantar nerve and lateral plantar nerve primarily provide sensory innervation to the plantar aspect of the foot and innervate some intrinsic foot muscles, but they are not involved in dorsiflexion