22 - Documenting the Course and Branching Patterns of the Dorsomedial Cutaneous Nerve of the Hallux: An Update

Poster Board Number: 22
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Abstract Body : The dorsomedial cutaneous nerve of the hallux (DMCN) is a terminal branch of the superficial fibular nerve. The DMCN provides sensory innervation to the great toe and the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The course and branching pattern of the DMCN is clinically relevant due to documented iatrogenic injury to this nerve during operative procedures involving the extensor hallucis longus (EHL) tendon, which it traverses superficially. The DMCN damage has resulted during EHL tendon transfer, hallux valgus or hallux rigidus corrections, bunionectomy, and cheilectomy surgical procedures. Intractable pain occurs following intraoperative injury to the DMCN, and surgical intervention to repair the damaged cutaneous nerve is necessary. Therefore, understanding anatomical variation, course, and branching patterns of the DMCN is clinically relevant. Previous foot and leg dissections have been performed in this longitudinal study. This study represents an update that characterizes the DMCN in approximately 24 limbs dissected in fall semester of 2022 to identify morphological variations of the DMCN. This study provides details of variations of the DMCN and when used in conjunction with current imaging techniques (ultrasonography), the data may help to prevent unwarranted iatrogenic nerve injury to the DMCN in the future.