Podiatry
Sural Nerve Irritation
Entrapment or damage to the sural nerve, causing burning, tingling, and numbness along the outer foot and back of the calf.
The sural nerve runs down the back of your calf, parallel to the outside of your Achilles tendon, and wraps under the outer ankle bone into your foot. It's a purely sensory nerve, meaning it doesn't control muscle movement — its role is to carry pain, heat, and touch signals from the outer half of your foot.
Entrapment or damage to this nerve can cause painful burning, tingling, and numbness in the outer half of your foot and the back of your calf. This condition typically occurs as a complication of another injury, such as a torn ligament from a lateral ankle sprain. Other common causes include compression around the ankle from ski boots or tight-fitting shoes.
Risk factors
- Structural foot deformities such as flat feet or very high arches
- Previous ankle sprains or fractures
- Surgery in the area
- Tight-fitting shoes
- Work that requires being on your feet all day
- Space-occupying growths such as ganglion cysts, bone spurs, varicose veins, or scar tissue
- Systemic conditions that increase swelling, such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or hypothyroidism
Common symptoms
- Burning or pins-and-needles sensations in the sole and outside of the foot
- Pain that typically increases with standing and walking
- Pain that worsens with tight-fitting shoes
- Sharp, shooting pain that can radiate up the lower leg
Assessment & treatment
Treatment
Treatment aims to reduce compression on the nerve so it can settle. This may include:
Treatment may include:
- Anti-inflammatories
- Cortisone injections
- Footwear changes
- Shockwave therapy
- Orthotics to control foot movement and reduce tension on the nerve
- Ankle mobility exercises
- A progressive loading program
How Simba Health treats Sural Nerve Irritation
Our podiatry clinicians assess the cause of your symptoms and build a personalised, evidence-based plan to treat Sural Nerve Irritation. With no GP referral required and initial appointments from $109, you can start care quickly at a clinic near you.
Podiatry near you
Frequently asked questions
No. You can book podiatry directly at Simba Health with no GP referral, so you can start treatment for Sural Nerve Irritation without delay. Initial appointments start from $109. A referral may still help if you're claiming under a care plan.
Sural Nerve Irritation is treated under our podiatry service, with initial consultations from $109 and lower follow-up fees. We keep our pricing transparent so you know what to expect before your appointment.
Our podiatry clinicians assess the underlying cause of your symptoms, then build a personalised, evidence-based treatment plan for Sural Nerve Irritation. Many people start to notice improvement once the right plan is underway.
Not sure this is right for you?
Call us and we'll help you find the right service and clinician for your needs.
(02) 9188 0544