Can peroneal nerve damage cause ankle pain?

Damage to the peroneal nerve can cause pain, tingling or numbness at the top of the foot. It may become difficult to raise your toes, your toes or ankle may feel weak, or your foot may feel like it is dropping when walking. In severe cases, you may be completely unable to lift your toes or foot or turn your ankle.

What nerve controls the ankle?

The common peroneal nerve branches from the sciatic nerve and provides sensation to the front and sides of the legs and to the top of the feet. This nerve also controls the muscles in the leg that lift the ankle and toes upward.

How long does it take for peroneal nerve palsy to heal?

The recovery time after a common peroneal nerve decompression at the knee is usually 3-4 months. For the first 6 weeks, we do not want to encourage the knee to form a lot of scar tissue around the area of the decompression, so we have patients on crutches.

Is peroneal nerve damage reversible?

Although in most cases they recover spontaneously, an irreversible damage of the nerve is also likely to occur. Nerve regeneration following CPN repair is poorer if compared to other peripheral nerves and this can explain the reluctant attitude of many physicians towards the surgical treatment of these patients.

What is common peroneal nerve palsy?

The most common presentation with common peroneal nerve injury or palsy is acute foot drop, although symptoms may be progressive and can include sensory loss or pain. Weakness in foot eversion may occur if the superficial peroneal nerve component is involved.

What are the features of peroneal nerve palsy?

Symptoms

  • Decreased sensation, numbness, or tingling in the top of the foot or the outer part of the upper or lower leg.
  • Foot that drops (unable to hold the foot up)
  • “Slapping” gait (walking pattern in which each step makes a slapping noise)
  • Toes drag while walking.
  • Walking problems.
  • Weakness of the ankles or feet.

What causes peroneal nerve palsy?

Major cause of palsy is due to dislocation of knee. Other possible causing factors are metabolic dysfunction of lower part of knee or disorientation of hip or pelvis. Damages on peroneal nerves destroy the myelin sheath that covers the axon or the whole nerve cell.