Lower Extremity Nerve Roots

Question 1

L4 Nerve Root

Answer 1

Disc Level: L3
Muscle Test: Foot dorsiflexion & inversion- tibialis anterior (deep peroneal nerve)
Reflex: Patellar Tendon
Sensation: Medial aspect of leg, medial foot, medial aspect of big toe

Question 2

L5 Nerve Root

Answer 2

Disc Level: L4
Muscle Test: Foot dorsiflexion-
Big toe dorsiflexion- extensor hallucis longus (deep peroneal nerve)
Toes 2,3,4 dorsiflexion- extensor digitorum longus & brevis (deep peroneal nerve)
Hip & Pelvis abduction- gluteus medius & minimus (superior gluteal nerve)
Reflex: None
Sensation: Lateral leg, dorsum of foot, and middle three toes

Question 3

S1 Nerve Root

Answer 3

Disc Level: L5
Muscle Test: Foot Plantar flexion-Gastrocnemius and Soleus (Tibial Nerve)
Foot Plantar flexion and eversion- peroneus longus and brevis (Superficial Peroneal Nerve)
Hip extension- gluteus maximus (Inferior Gluteal Nerve)
Reflex: Achilles
Sensation: Posterior aspect of the leg, lateral aspect of foot, and lateral aspect of little toe