Saphenous nerve: adductor canal and infrapatellar branch
The saphenous nerve runs through the adductor canal deep to sartorius, where entrapment has been described that can cause medial knee or leg pain with motor function preserved, as the nerve is sensory. Its infrapatellar branch crosses the anteromedial knee and can be injured or entrapped by scarring. This page brings both sites together with their anatomical plate and references.
Adductor canal
The saphenous nerve runs through the adductor canal deep to sartorius, close to vastus medialis and the adductors. Entrapments have been described in this region that may cause medial knee or leg pain while motor function is preserved, because the saphenous nerve is sensory.
- Frequency
- Proposed with limited evidence: case series, clinical commentaries or anatomical descriptions.
- Type of evidence
- Clinical series and review
References
- Romanoff ME, Cory PC, Kalenak A, Keyser GC, Marshall WK. Saphenous nerve entrapment at the adductor canal. Am J Sports Med 1989. PubMed 2782531 · DOI
- Morganti CM, McFarland EG, Cosgarea AJ. Saphenous neuritis: a poorly understood cause of medial knee pain. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2002. PubMed 11929207 · DOI
Infrapatellar branch · anteromedial knee
The infrapatellar branch crosses fascial planes at the anteromedial knee. Its variable course exposes it to injury or entrapment by scars, especially after local procedures. The illustration shows one anatomical variant and not a position identical in every person.
- Frequency
- Described site, less commonly seen.
- Type of evidence
- Clinical review and anatomical study
References
- Szwedowski D, Ambroży J, Grabowski R, Dallo I, Mobasheri A. Diagnosis and treatment of the most common neuropathies following knee injuries and reconstructive surgery - A narrative review. Heliyon 2021. PubMed 34611563 · DOI
- Ebraheim NA, Mekhail AO. The infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve: an anatomic study. J Orthop Trauma 1997. PubMed 9181503 · DOI