Chronic Pain After an Ankle Sprain

Ankle Sprain Healed- But You Still Have Chronic Pain?

If your ankle sprain healed but you still feel burning, tingling, aching, throbbing, or sharp pain. the problem may be a pinched or irritated nerve. This kind of pain is common- and it is often missed.

At Janus Foot and Ankle, we focus on finding, diagnosing and treating nerve pain that continues after an ankle sprain.

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You don’t have to face these challenges alone. We look forward to walking with you on this new journey.

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Understanding how an ankle sprain can cause nerve pain

An ankle sprain can stretch, irritate, or trap nerves. Even after swelling goes down, a nerve can stay sensitive.

Nerve pain may happen because of:

Swelling that presses on a nerve
Scar tissue after injury
Tight muscles or tissue
Walking differently to avoid pain
An ankle that still feels unstable

Common Peroneal (Fibular) Nerve Entrapment

The common peroneal nerve runs along the outside of the leg and helps control foot movement and feeling. After an ankle sprain, this nerve can become stretched, compressed, inflamed, or irritated.

Common symptoms:

Burning or tingling
Sharp or “electric” pain
Pain that travels up the outer leg or across the top of the foot
Numbness or sensitivity to touch
Weakness, tripping, or foot slapping
Does not improve with rest alone

Other nerves that can become irritated after an ankle injury include the superficial fibular, deep fibular , sural, and tibial nerves.

How we diagnose nerve pain in the ankle

We focus on finding which nerve is involved and why.

Your visit may include:

Exam of strength, feeling, and movement
Gait and balance check
Testing common entrapment points
Imaging or targeted injections

Treatment for nerve-related ankle pain

Ankle support or orthotics
Swelling and inflammation control
Physical therapy exercises
Image guided nerve injections
Regenerative medicine
Nerve decompression surgery when a nerve is clearly entrapped

When to get checked

Pain lasts more than 6-8 weeks
Burning, aching , or numbness is present
Pain spreads up the leg or into the foot
Weakness or instability develops

Start Feeling Better

Submit our contact form or give us a call at (612) 353-9311 to talk to our dedicated and compassionate team.

Ongoing nerve pain after an ankle sprain is not normal – and is often treatable. If your ankle sprain healed but the pain didn’t, it’s time to take a fresh look at an old problem.

Schedule an appointment with Janus Foot and Ankle today.

Learn more about our treatment options

★★★★★

Dr. Moore was incredibly patient with me and took the time to evaluate all possible causes of my condition. The results that I have seen since my diagnosis have been amazing. I am pain-free now and am back to being a kid. I highly recommend Dr. Moore!

Ruby

Frequently Asked Questions About Chronic Pain After an Ankle Sprain

Why does my ankle still hurt after my sprain healed?

If your ankle sprain healed but pain continues, a nerve may still be irritated or pinched. Swelling, scar tissue, ankle instability, or changes in how you walk can keep pressure on a nerve even after the ligament injury heals.

What does nerve pain feel like after an ankle injury?

Nerve pain often feels burning, aching, tingling, sharp , or hypersensitive. It may travel up the leg or into the foot, feel worse at night , or hurt more with light touch than pressure. This is different from muscle, tendon or joint pain.

Can an ankle sprain cause a pinched nerve?

Yes. An ankle sprain can stretch, bruise, or trap nerves. One common problem is common peroneal (fibular) nerve entrapment, which can cause pain on the outside of the leg and top of the foot, along with numbness or weakness.

Will nerve pain after an ankle injury go away on its own?

Sometimes nerve pain improves with time, but ongoing symptoms lasting more than 6–8 weeks should be evaluated. Early treatment helps calm the nerve and prevents long-term pain or weakness.

How is chronic nerve pain after an ankle injury treated?

Treatment often starts with non-surgical care, including activity changes, bracing, physical therapy with nerve-gliding exercises, footwear changes, and orthotics. If pain continues and a nerve is clearly trapped, advanced treatments or nerve release surgery may be recommended.

How do you know which nerve is causing my pain?

We find the problem nerve by listening to your symptoms, checking where the pain travels, testing feeling and strength, and pressing on common nerve pinch points. How you walk and move also gives important clues. Imaging or targeted injections may be used when needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Make an Appointment

Aching, burning in the forefoot, feeling of walking on a pebble

On the Journey With You

At Janus Lower Extremity Pain Center, we understand the challenges of life with chronic pain . We are here to guide you toward less pain and better mobility, treating you with dignity, understanding, and respect.

Dr. Moore, the founder of Janus, brings her 30 years of experience as a foot and ankle surgeon. We specialize in advanced procedures for lower extremity nerve pain, including nerve decompression surgery.

Learn More About Dr. Moore