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Whether you twisted, wrenched, or rolled your ankle, most mild sprains get better in a few days or weeks, but if nerve damage is the underlying problem, you may need surgery to repair it. Here’s how it works.
Whether you missed the curb, toppled off your stilettos, or tackled an athletic opponent, a rolled ankle can ruin your day or your week. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) usually resolve the problem without professional medical attention.
However, when chronic ankle pain has become a way of life, it’s time to look into the possibility of nerve damage.
You have several nerves running in and around your lower leg and ankle that can make life miserable and somewhat motionless. Fortunately, Dr. Matthew Cerniglia at Ankle and Foot Institute of Texas specializes in diagnosing and treating complex nerve problems.
In fact, Dr. Cerniglia is one of the top 1% of global ankle surgeons renowned for his expertise in total ankle replacement. He also excels at lower extremity nerve surgery and is a game-changer if you deal with persistent ankle pain. Here’s what you need to know.
What is lower extremity nerve surgery?
Lower extremity nerve surgery is a specialized procedure that addresses damage to the nerves in your legs and feet. It relieves pain, restores sensation, and improves mobility.
In this surgery, Dr. Cerniglia targets the specific nerve or nerves causing pain or numbness. Depending on what’s behind your symptoms, he may release compressed nerves, repair damaged ones, or remove neuromas, which are benign nerve growths often responsible for chronic pain.
When to consider extremity nerve surgery
Surgery isn’t a first-line treatment for pain, but if you’ve tried various other treatments with no success, extremity nerve surgery could be a viable option. It’s most effective for nerve damage due to trauma, diabetes, or other conditions affecting nerve health.
What extremity nerve surgery treats
Extremity nerve surgery addresses several conditions that cause chronic pain and mobility issues in the legs and feet, including:
Chronic ankle pain
One of the most common conditions Dr. Cerniglia treats with extremity nerve surgery is chronic ankle pain stemming from nerve entrapments and injuries.
Neuromas
Dr. Cerniglia may recommend extremity nerve surgery for neuromas. The surgery removes these growths, alleviating pain and restoring normal sensation.
Peripheral neuropathy
We also turn to extremity nerve surgery for nerve damage related to injury or diabetes. Peripheral neuropathy involves damage to the peripheral nerves, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness.
Am I a good candidate for extremity nerve surgery?
Dr. Cerniglia conducts a thorough medical evaluation to determine if extremity nerve surgery is right for you. He reviews your medical history, performs a physical exam, and orders diagnostic tests like nerve conduction studies or MRIs.
Next, he analyzes the severity and nature of your symptoms. If you’re experiencing chronic pain, numbness, or mobility issues that significantly impact your life, and if other treatments have failed, surgery might be the best option.
He also considers your overall health. Candidates for extremity nerve surgery should be in good general health to ensure a smooth recovery and the best results.
What about shockwave therapy?
If you’ve been researching treatments for your ankle pain, you may have read about shockwave therapy. We offer this innovative treatment and have helped many patients recover from chronic foot and ankle pain, but it doesn’t treat all conditions.
Shockwave therapy uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing, so we use it to treat conditions like plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and other musculoskeletal issues. The noninvasive treatment promotes blood flow, reduces inflammation, and accelerates tissue repair, but it doesn’t repair damaged nerves.
While shockwave therapy can be effective for certain conditions, it may not provide the same level of relief for nerve-related issues as extremity nerve surgery can. Surgery directly addresses the nerve problems causing pain, offering a more targeted and long-term solution.
Call Ankle and Foot Institute of Texas in Fort Worth or request an appointment online. You can count on Dr. Cerniglia to determine the root cause of your chronic ankle pain and treat it appropriately.