Which nerve injury is a known complication of tibial fractures?

• A. Ulnar nerve injury
• B. Median nerve injury
• C. Peroneal nerve injury
• D. Radial nerve injury

Answer: (C)

Nerve injuries accompanying fractures depend on where the nerve runs relative to the bone. The common peroneal nerve winds around the neck of the fibula and lies close to the lateral aspect of the knee and upper leg. In tibial fractures, swelling, a displaced fracture fragment, or traction can easily irritate or compress this nerve, making peroneal nerve injury a known complication.

When the peroneal nerve is affected, you typically see weakness of ankle dorsiflexion and toe extension, leading to a foot‑drop gait, and weakness of foot eversion. Sensory loss often occurs on the dorsum of the foot and the lateral shin. Plantarflexion, which relies on the tibial nerve, is usually preserved, so a tibial‑nerve injury would present with a different pattern.

The other nerves listed are in the arm and forearm, so they are not commonly implicated by injuries to the tibia. This anatomical relationship is why peroneal nerve injury is the expected complication in the context of tibial fractures.