Yoga Foot Drop

To the Editor.—  The common peroneal nerve (Figure) is very vulnerable to injury, especially where it winds about the head of the fibula just below the knee.¹ Pressure from sitting with the knees crossed, from kneeling, or from bizarre postures may readily affect this nerve. Susceptibility to damage from pressure is increased by weight loss, malnutrition, alcoholism, diabetes, and other causes of peripheral neuropathy. Recent experience indicates that common peroneal nerve injury may also result from a well known Yoga practice (the kneeling pose), giving rise to what may be called "Yoga Foot Drop."

Report of a Case.—  A 22-year-old white college student was referred by a physician because of progressive difficulty in walking during the preceding five months. He stated that his lower extremities were becoming so weak that he found it increasingly difficult to walk, run, or climb stairs.He mentioned incidentally that he had been a