The intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerve is the lateral of the two terminal branches of the superficial fibular (peroneal) nerve. It crosses the front of the ankle toward its lateral side and divides into dorsal digital nerves for the adjacent sides of the third, fourth and fifth toes. It supplies the skin of the lateral part of the dorsum of the foot.
| Origin | Superficial fibular nerve, which divides in the lower third of the leg after piercing the deep fascia |
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| Course | Passes over the front of the ankle toward the lateral side, superficial to the extensor retinaculum, and divides into dorsal digital nerves |
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| Sensory |
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This nerve can often be seen and felt under the skin in front of the lateral malleolus when the foot is pointed and turned in, a useful landmark before ankle arthroscopy. It is at risk with the anterolateral arthroscopy portal, in lateral ankle and fibula surgery, and in inversion sprains, which can stretch it. Injury causes numbness or painful neuroma on the lateral dorsum of the foot.
An anterolateral portal placed without first marking the nerve can cut or stretch it, causing numbness or painful neuroma over the lateral dorsum of the foot.
Severe inversion sprains stretch the nerve over the front of the ankle, causing tingling and burning on the outer top of the foot that may persist after the ligament has healed.
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