To ensure a successful ankle block, it is important to realize that there
are two nerves that are deep to the fascia layer and three nerves that are superficial
to it. An electrical current can readily cross fascia layers, but local anesthetics
cannot, therefore, it is important to deposit the local anesthetic on the correct side
of the fascia. The deep nerves are the posterior tibial and deep peroneal nerves.
The superficial nerves are the sural, saphenous, and superficial peroneal nerves. If
the name of the nerve starts with an “s,” it lies superficial to the fascia. The
macroanatomy, which includes the trans-sectional anatomy and surface anatomy,
and the sonoanatomy of all the nerves around the ankle are discussed in this
chapter, as well as the sensory areas that these nerve innervate and the innervation
of the ankle joint.
Keywords: Ankle block, Ankle joint, Deep peroneal nerves, Electrical
current, Electrical nerve stimulation, Fascia layer, Macroanatomy, Posterior
tibial nerve, Saphenous nerve, Sonoanatomy, Superficial peroneal nerve,
Sural nerve, Surface anatomy, Trans-sectional anatomy.
