17 Ankle Block
Placement
Anatomy
The peripheral nerves requiring block during ankle block are derived from the sciatic nerve, with the exception of a terminal branch of the femoral nerve, the saphenous nerve. The saphenous nerve is the only branch of the femoral nerve below the knee; it courses superficially anterior to the medial malleolus, providing cutaneous innervation to an area of the medial ankle and foot. The remaining nerves requiring block at the ankle are terminal branches of the sciatic nerveāthe common peroneal and tibial nerves. The tibial nerve divides into the posterior tibial and sural nerves, which provide cutaneous innervation as outlined in Figure 17-1. The common peroneal nerve divides into its terminal branches, the superficial and deep peroneal nerves, in the proximal portion of the lower leg. Their cutaneous innervation is also illustrated in Figure 17-1