It divides at the knee into two terminal branches: the superficial fibular nerve and deep fibular nerve, which innervate the muscles of the lateral and anterior compartments of the leg respectively.

When the common fibular nerve is damaged or compressed, foot drop can ensue.

Before its division, the common fibular nerve gives off several branches in the popliteal fossa.

[1] The common fibular nerve innervates the short head of the biceps femoris muscle via a motor branch that exits close to the gluteal cleft.

Chronic fibular (peroneal) neuropathy can result from, among other conditions, bed rest of long duration, hyperflexion of the knee, peripheral neuropathy, pressure in obstetric stirrups, and conditioning in ballet dancers.