Foot and Ankle
Pain in the foot and ankle
Nerves run from the brain all the way to the tips of our toes. These nerves travel great distances to control the movement of our feet and toes as well as provide sensation or feeling to this area.
Because these peripheral nerves must travel such a great distance there are multiple opportunities for these nerves to be injured or compressed. Injured nerves can result in chronic pain, a tingling feeling, or loss of sensation (inability to feel hot, cold, touch, pain, etc.).
Read below to learn more about the nerves in the feet and ankles and how these nerves can be damaged.
Pain on the top of the foot
Pain on the top of the foot can often be caused by the deep and superficial peroneal (also known as fibular) nerve. These nerves have both motor (movement) and sensory (feeling) components that impact the movement and feeling in the foot. The deep and superficial peroneal nerves run from from the lower leg through the foot.
Pain on the bottom of the foot
Nerves that run through your foot can cause pain or discomfort. Swelling or thickening of the tissue between the third and fourth toe can compress or irritate the interdigital nerve in the foot, creating what is known as a Morton’s Neuroma.
Pain in the ankle
Similar to the carpal tunnel in the wrist, the tarsal tunnel in the ankle is a tight region (or tunnel) that nerves must pass through. This tunnel can create compression of the posterior tibial nerve.
PAGE CONTRIBUTORS
PAGE CONTRIBUTORS
Shari Moore, DPM
Podiatrist
Janus Lower Extremity Pain Center
Minnesota
Janus Lower Extremity Pain Center
Minnesota
Kent DiNucci, DPM
Podiatrist
Ankle and Foot Clinic
Nebraska
Kevin Powers, DPM
Podiatrist
The Center for Lower Extremity Nerve Surgery
Indiana
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