🔑 Key Learning

  • Common peroneal → foot drop
  • Superior gluteal → Trendelenburg gait
  • LCNT → meralgia paraesthetica

🔌 Femoral Nerve

Roots: L2–L4
Motor: Anterior thigh → knee extension, hip flexion
Sensory: Anterior + medial thigh, medial leg and foot
Injury: Hip fracture, pelvic trauma


🔌 Obturator Nerve

Roots: L2–L4
Motor: Thigh adduction
Sensory: Medial thigh
Injury: Anterior hip dislocation


🔌 Sciatic Nerve

Roots: L4–S3
Motor: Posterior thigh (knee flexion), all leg and foot muscles
Sensory: Posterior thigh, lateral leg, entire foot
Injury: Posterior hip dislocation, acetabular fracture


🔌 Superior Gluteal Nerve

Roots: L4–S1
Motor: Gluteus medius + minimus → hip abduction
Sensory: None
Injury: Pelvic surgery or fracture
Sign: Positive Trendelenburg (pelvic drop on swing side when standing on affected leg)


🔌 Inferior Gluteal Nerve

Roots: L5–S2
Motor: Gluteus maximus → hip extension
Sensory: None
Injury: Pelvic trauma/surgery


🔌 Lateral Cutaneous Nerve of the Thigh (LCNT)

Roots: L2–L3
Motor: None
Sensory: Anterolateral + lateral thigh
Injury: Compression at ASIS → meralgia paraesthetica
Clinical Features: Burning/tingling thigh pain, no motor loss


🔌 Common Peroneal Nerve

Roots: L4–S2
Motor: Dorsiflexion + eversion (anterior + lateral compartments)
Sensory: Dorsum of foot, lateral leg
Injury: Fibular neck compression → foot drop
Features: High-stepping gait


🔌 Tibial Nerve

Roots: L4–S3
Motor: Plantarflexion + inversion
Sensory: Sole of foot
Injury: Posterior knee dislocation, popliteal trauma


📝 Exam Clues & Clinchers

  • Foot drop = common peroneal nerve
  • Pelvic drop on walking = superior gluteal nerve
  • Meralgia paraesthetica = LCNT, sensory only
  • Posterior hip dislocation → sciatic nerve injury
  • Trendelenburg gait → gluteus medius/minimus (L4–S1)