nerve pain-ankle

For the last six weeks I have this very severe shock like nerve pain in my left ankle right below the bone,some times it so severe that it makes me week, I have been to numerous dr`s had x-rays ,mri`s with and without dye.I had nerve tests & shock like tests and no one seems to be able to help me. If you or anyone out there could shed some light on this very mysterious problem I would be so grateful!
As with any long term pain it is starting to depress me especially when it goes away for a day or two and I think its leaving and then again it starts, I don`t do anything to aggiavate it and i try to relax but i dosen

[csue]

i too have been experiencing the same pain with a nerve that hits the ankle. i ahve been to a couple of doctors. i only had xrays done and nothing showed. the doctor's did say that i ahve sciatica. it is a condition where you have pain around or through your buut down the leg. they gave me medicine which did not work. so, i ending up going to a chiropractor. the treatments he did felt good, but my pain is still there and now spreading to other areas, so he ordered an mri. well, i just thought i would tell the possiblity of it being the sciatic nerve and since you have already had tests done, then maybe you want to go and see a chiropractor. take care. bye.

[mag9809]

Thanks for you response !
I am getting ready for physical therapy,hopefully that will help .
I hope you find some relief as It kinda puts your life on hold,the problem I have is that I have no warning, so even pain meds don`t help me,no other pain or tingling .
I`m beginning to think I have a damaged nerve in my ankle and when it touches somepart in radiates.
I`m hoping it repairs itself {gotta hope]
get better1

[ConnieMK]

I have that in both ankles.  Does your MRI show inflamation (inflammation)?
My tendons are extremely inflamed.  I am currently wearing braces to help with the pain and positioning of my foot, since that seems to be the cause.   It is very frustrating.
Good Luck with the Physical Therapy, becareful about doing too much, the ultra-sound and Electric Stim should help a lot.
ConnieMK

[mag9809]

Connie ,can feel your pain! still nothing shows on all tests,my neurologist put me on a tens unit,which is electrode patches, I wear it like a battery-clip pack on my waist and wires go to patches which in turn send an electrical charge through the area . sounds like this might help you ,just make sure a physical therapist tells you how to use it ,it`s by rx only.
If you have more of a muscle problem there is one that is called "ReBuilder"which does both & has a 95-98 % success $ only need to use it once a day -45 min, neighter hurts, you decide the level you want.
Hope this helps !!!!!!
Also anyone out there with ankle nerve damage with no tingling -no soreness,strickly shooting pain that lasts for seconds ,but severe -please let me know what helps for you.
                                          Mag

[paseab]

I have just recently been experiencing the same thing.  I see that the last post was about a year ago, have you found the answer?  Any advice/help would be great.  thanks.

[owchthishurts]

I have the same thing.  The pain is debilitating.  So annoying because it happens when I'm up and moving AND when I'm sitting or laying down trying to relax.  The pain last anywhere from 3 seconds to 30 seconds and sometimes takes me down.  It started as a shooting pain going up to my calf and now it's centralized right below my ankle bone.  I had an MRI to rule out a back problem.  Now I just wait.  I used Advil and an ankle brace to keep the inflammation down and my ankle stable.  The doctor said that a store bought ankle brace isn't as good as wrapping it good with a bandage.  So thats something to keep in mind.  If anyone gets an answer for their pain, let us know!

[waltonsdownunder1]

I also have these electric shock like pains shooting across my foot from the outside to the top of my foot.  Its the worst pain since childbirth!  Not many people can understand it.  After 2 months of x rays, bone scans, utra sounds and sciatica check scans, I was referred to a orthopedic surgeon.
He diagnosed my symptoms in just 5 minutes.  He did the tinus sign, which is using 2 fingers and lightly tapping just under the ankle bone or area.  This sent a fuzzy feeling to my little toe.  He diagnoised me with a neuroma (trapped or damage nerve in the sural nerve at ankle.)

He gave me a month to hopefully heal whilst taking lyrica tablets 300 mg a day.  These helped for about 3 weeks until last week, when gradually day by day the symptoms worsened.  I re-visitied the surgeon who said the only answer would be surgury to find out what the problem is.  He said he would see if damaged tissue is trapping the nerve or causing the nerve to overstretch over it.  He also said it could be damage to the inside of the nerve itself, which he would either cut and attach to another nerve or simply remove.

By the way, along the way I too have had tingles in my fingers which sometimes run up my arm so sounds similar.

The surgery is on an outpatient basis and takes only 2 weeks for wound to heal.  It can give immediate releif or may take some months - he said the nerve repairs itself a millimeter per day, so there's hope.  Even if I don't get 100% recovery, he says it will be minimal pain compared to what I have been feeling.

I'm due to go for the op in 2 weeks so I'll keep you posted on the way.  Not sure if your's is identical, but worth checking out and at least you know you not on your own with this disturbing problem.

waltonsdownunder1

[mrobin]

I have also had such a pain.  I feel like someone has a clamp on the back of my ankle then I have this pain in the right side of my left ankle.
I have had MRI's, Sonogram, nerve test and the doctor said I had tarsal tunnel in my left ankle but my foot doctor said I had no sign of that. UGH

[Soundsfamiliar]

I seem to have had similar ankle pain which I have had for more than a year. The sharp pain starting under my ankle, left side of left foot, seems to shoot across my foot, lasts for anything up to a minute or so and afterward sometimes I am left with an ache on the left side of my foot which interferes with walking.  I have had xrays, ultra sound, nothing shows.  I have seen an orthopedic surgeon  who is not sure of diagnosis but recommends a cortisone injection to see if that works, I don't like the sound of that. Has anyone tried and had success with cortisone injections?

[diane59]

My Mom has similar ankle pain which is killing her.  It will stop for a day or two and come back.  She can not drive because driving causes it to hurt really bad.  She has had 27 x-rays, MRI with dye, bone scan and all they can find is that the blood work shows she has inflamation (inflammation) somewhere and to just take Aleve twice a day.  She is down to 95 pounds.  This makes no sense at all.  She sees an Internal Medicine Dr. and he has not referred her out to anyone and she has Osteoperosis but has not put on any meds because she is allergic to Fosimax.  Any help?

[hyevans]

Is there any record of insect stings by anyone who has this pain?

[jdbanks]

well i have also had the same problem for about a week or so.. it started one day when i woke up in the morning and went to stand up i got a strong shock in my left ankle... it was standable for a day and now it is getting worse... it has now gone in to my right ankle as well so i have to put up with both ankles pulsing at the same time.. plus i have  hardware in myu right ankle so it makes it worse... i have been to 2 different doctors. one has but me on  muscle relaxers and the other on anti flams... nothing works i take t4's and those dont even work ... it has gotten so bad that i am now getting pains in my lowere back on the right side... i am hoping to get rid of this soon  seeing that i am not able to stand or walk for more then 2 minutes.

[anngime]

Well I see I'm not the only one with this sporatic aggravating ankle pain.  I've had about 6 months.  Mentioned to my dr and he said to see a foot dr which I have not done... just been dealing with it.  always in my left inside ankle but one day last week it shot through my right ankle.  No insect bite that I remember. My left ankle does sometimes swell but I didn't relate it to this pain but maybe it is.  I'm 55, don't know if you all are younger.   If anyone figures this out please let us know.  

[Azrielle]

This is very interesting and somewhat encouraging to see others dealing with what has just started showing up in me.  For about 5 days what started out as a quick tiny pain in the right side of my left ankle has now turned into a shocking severe pain.  Starts at my promenant inner ankle bone and shoots down stopping before toes, only lasting 3 seconds.  Today was twice as many instances than yesterday, hoping it will not be getting worse. I too have hardware in that ankle on the otherside from a fracture 3 years ago.  No bug bites that I am aware of as it is the middle of coooold winter here.  Oh yes, I am 33 years old.
I look forward to any replies with what has worked for you all to resolve this issue.

[kdbetteshanger]

To know that there are many others with the same strange electric shock symptoms in the left ankle area has in a way helped me!  This is only my third day of these (I can only describe as) excrutiating (sorry can't spell that!) electric shock pains which last a few seconds and leave me feeling weak all over from the shock of the sudden pain - the pain has happened when I have been in bed relaxing or during the day, moving around or as just now sat at the computer!!!  I went to the local hospital yesterday, only to leave having been told it could be due to the fact that I stood on something in my bare feet in the house last week and that that may have caused a problem with the nerve in my ankle.  Maybe this is correct and it is such a simple answer - I am not too sure - as the pain is so bad (or shocking should I say - as it is just like an electric shock, causing me to shake my foot around in a state!!!).  I will wait and see what happens next and keep you informed.  I am 46 and have always been fit and healthy so this is all very sudden.  Maybe it is just old age and I'll just have to live with it.  If it continues I will return to the Dr's.  Wish we still lived in France - at least there you don't feel as if you are waisting everyone's time!!!!  It seems to be such a slow process getting to the bottom of any health problems in this country!  

[Lorilee61]

I am having the same symptoms of sharp & shooting pain around the ankle that is so so painful. I see some of the posts on here are from years gone by and am curious if any of these cases have been resolved or diagnosed?  I have done so much research and have been seen by several doctors and have received no advice that has helped with the pain. Please post if anyone has found anything that has helped or found out what this pain is from. Thanks, Lorilee

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
Ankle pain can be due to several reasons depending on the site. The simplest reason of a generalized ankle pain is sprain—like in wearing high heels, twisting your ankle etc. History of fracture to lower leg bones in the past can lead to damaged anterior tibio-fibular ligament. This results in ankle pain even after the fracture has healed.
A bony deposit or a bone growth in front of the ankle at the point where the joint capsule attaches can cause pain in front of the ankle. The pain increases on pressing the front portion of the ankle or while doing the kicking motion.
Pain on the inner side of the ankle at the attachment of tibialis posterior muscle too can cause pain when the tendon of this muscle is inflamed.
Impingement of the ankle joint between the bones of ankle and foot is another possibility.
Dislocation of peroneal muscle tendon can also cause shooting pain. Stress fractures of medial malleolus, tarsal tunnel syndrome, rupture of tendon of peroneus brevis, and sinus tarsi syndrome (pain just front of lateral malleolus on the outer side of ankle) are the other possibilities.
The clue to right treatment is right diagnosis of the cause of pain. Hope this helps. I think you should discuss these possibilities with your doctor (PCP) and get a referral for a sports clinic and consult a sports medicine specialist. It is difficult to comment beyond this without examining. A comprehensive investigation is required keeping all the points in mind. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[GBNelson]

I have had severe pain on my right ankle, on the outer side around the ball bone area.  I've had it about two weeks now.  I was diagnosed with Sciatica or Piriformis Syndrome due to an herniated disc in my lower back about three weeks ago.  The disc is pressing on the sciatic nerve around the hip and buttocks region which runs down the leg and into the foot and ankle region.

[momtofourboys]

just a helpful hint, I hope. I have had horrible pain in my right foot/leg and yes around the bone in my ankle for 20 years now. I had many many test. nothing showed so I was told to take 600mg of mortrin 4 times a day and to increase it if needed. I was taking 1000mg 4 times a day and that didn't help finally I went to PT and was told to put ICE on it several times a day NOT heat. after 18years I went for a 2nd opinion and got a diagnoses. I have a rare disease, taht very much affects the nerves in your body. I AM NOT SAYING THIS IS WHAT YOU ALL HAVE BY ANY MEANS
Well here is the helpful hint I hope I soaked my foot in very warm water. oh man the relief was awesome. it was short loved once I got out for maybe 15 minutes but man oh man I was in heaven. I also heard that antidepressants can help relax nerve pain as well as neurotin. I had no luck with these as they made me either very sick or knocked em out.
Good luck and I hope you can find out your answers really soon
michelle

[zenithsmith]

my ankle on the outside has been getting a sharp pain when i stand on it.  I don't know if it came on from riding my bicycle(little ankle movement there) or climbing ladders at work.  I have to test it tomorrow because I stand 7 1/2 hours out of nine tomorrow at work.  If it causes me problems I don't know what I will do.

[izzac770]

I have had peripheral neuropathy for 19 years and therefore have had burning, stinging sensations is both feet. Mostly on the tops of my toes and top sides of the foot. Recently I woke up with stabbing pain in my right inner ankle. I take 2400 mg of neurotin daily.  It doen't always help.  Mostly it makes you sleepy.I have tried everything from anti-Depressents to topical products.The neurontin and a oxycodone at night is the best bet  now, until something better comes along. RD

[krimsoon]

Since your posting in 2006, is there any significant improvment? You must have gone through much suffering.
I, too, experienced very similar symtoms (symptoms) of pain like you and also at the same spot of the left ankle about 3 weeks ago. I have gone through MRI scan at the ankle as well as the spin. Results showed some bone wear but doctors feel not enough to trigger such sharp shooting pain. The pain is very much localised at that part of the foot just below the ankle joint.

I was reviewed by an Orthopedic surgeon, Cardiologist (in case of embolism), Vascular surgeon, and a Neurologist. The first 3 discounted any problems in their area of practice. The Neurologist said it's a nerve problem but added it's very perculiar that it is localised at that particular spot. Also mentioned that it's very difficult to trace the source of the problem. I have been put on a short course of Neurontin and Prednisolone (Steroids) and will be reviewed in 2 weeks time. Right now the pain is gone (since 3 days ago) but this could be attributed to a volteren injection treatment which I received when first admitted to hospital, just to relief pain while waiting for further treatment.

When the pain first started 3 weeks ago, I had a volteren jab. It lasted for a week and the pain came back. I had a second jab which lasted about the same tiime. After that I had myself treated as described above.

Krimsoon - July 2009  

[della507]

Hope my experience can help,

I fractured my ankle almost a year ago, and started getting these shooting pains. I took some homeopathic medicine and was relieved of the pain for about 9 months. It has just recently come back, I am taking  the homeopathic medicine again and now the pain has gone away.

You may want to consult a Naturopath and see if maybe homeopathic medicine could help you, but I would consult your Doctor first to make sure it doesn't interfere with any medications you are taking.

Hope this helps!!

[jean5701]

I also have the eletricshock's and pain right below my ankle all the way to my little toe and the whole side of my foot is numb.I have had 4 surgerys on my ankle in the last 2 yrs.and this is like the last straw.I cant stand or walk enough to get through the grocery store.I have been seeing a painmanagment dr.who is giving me treatment in my spine that help some but only for a few days.and today the ortho injected a nerve block he said if that stops the pain they can cut the nerve.Has anyone had this done?Iam realy afraid of another surgery.

[Npain2]

A related discussion, Ankle Pain-Remedy was started.

[angievh]

A related discussion, Acute stabbing pain behind left ankle was started.

[footpain42]

I see this post is old but I am researching my pain as well. I am a jogger but run very Little. I felt no pain while running. The next morning I got this sharp pain, left ankle on the inside that was vey quick and sharp.  I had to stop walking completely.  I ran that night and felt nothing. Then the next day the arch was sore and my heel. However the next day until now I have a crippling sharp pain in the inner ankle again. I almost fell and it really hurts. I will be seeing a Dr soon to find out what it is. Was wondering how you were doing and if you have had success?

[ollymae1980]

A related discussion, Inner ankle nerve pain was started.

[Highlandboy]

A related discussion, Piercing ankle pain was started.

[lololynn]

A related discussion, intense pain on left ankle bone was started.

[DBrinck]

19 year old athlete, no surgery in right ankle, but very Sharp pain that goes from right under the inner ball bone part, shooting to the back of my heel as well as the bottom of my foot by my heel. Pain lasts anywhere from a few seconds, to a few minutes, stops anywhere for 5-30 minutes, then starts up again (its very strange).Pain comes whenever it feels like it.. I don't even remember doing anything to injure it. It does NOT hurt me to move my foot around at all, only hurts when I start to stand up and walk (sometimes I have to walk on my toes on my right foot to avoid the piercing pain, that is sometimes unbearable). The pain also comes to the top of my right foot, but is very minor and 95% of the time goes unnoticed. I am currently trying to get myself into the USAF or the USN, and this pain is causing me to have second thoughts, only because there is no way I could PT if my ankle started acting up.. It's very painful. It also hurts me if I push down under/behind my right inner ankle bone. I'm worried as well as confused as to where this pain came from
And why it is still bothering me. I do use the R.I.C.E system as well as taking anti inflammatories, joint soothers(glucosomine), aleve, beef aminos and other vitamines. Nothing seems to be working. Can anyone help please.

Thanks,

Dan (CT)

[stephanie319]

A related discussion, PAIN LIKE NO OTHER was started.

[jammy09]

i to have the same problem im 29 and have excruciating pain in my ankles and cramps in my calf's which i cant help but swear thro the pain it slowly eases off but i can not walk no where also i get cramps in my hips. my doctor has prescribed me so much medication i also have had epidurals and steroid injections in my back nothing works.However i have just found out there is such a thing called dystonia and i am self Diogenesing myself with that i shall b seeing my doctor about this as it sounds exctlly just like what i am suffering with i suggest u google it and just have a quick look at it .

[sallen3821]

hello ive had the same thing going on for 3 years , i got hurt at work and its not getting better . ive had test after test .i had 2 nerve blocks  and they didnt work . ive had several cortizone injection no responce . been on more meds than u can amagion. nothing is helping . ive taken 6 weeks of physical therapy . i use the tens unit  pain patches , everything . now im seeing a surgen in charlotte nc and he put me in a cast for 3 weeks to see if that helps with the pain . well its 2 1/2 weeks now and the pain hasnt changes . the cold and rain about kills my foot . i go back to him next week i dont know what other options he has in mind . all i know is the burning, throbing, acheing , shooting sharp pains is about to drive me insane .. let u know what happens  

[mr68gto]

Reading all these comments ---- I wonder how many of you have had a floroquinolone antibiotic in the past year or so.  Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox ......  

You will find that many people are suffering tendon/nerve damage in various parts of their bodies, especially feet after taking these antibiotics.   I have the sharp pain periodicallyunder the ankle bone and have had burning throbbing feet from Cipro use.    Also, how many have noticed a wasting of the fat pad or collagen in their feet --- making them look emaciated with depressions and tendons sticking out -- again Floroquinolone antibiotic caused this with me

[Onthelake]

I have had the same pain for almost 2 yrs. I did the cast thing and it did not help. I'm already taking neurontin 2,400 units a day, cymbalta, Tramadol, and an antiinflammatory all for back issues. I've seen 2 ortho surgeons, gone through weeks and weeks of PT and nothing helps. Mine started after a "compression injury" to the ankle. One of the ortho docs said it is nerve damage, 2 nerves involoved, and everything I'm already taking is what he would recommend. He said these nerves repair themselves over time and that it can take up to 2 yrs. Well, it's almost 2 yrs and nothing is better. I can't go to the grocery store, Walmart anywhere that I have to walk around much. If I do then I am in bed taking Codeine for 2 days until it calms down again. I went to Lowes recently and now I am hobbling around the house with a cane. I've had MRI and other test done. One test I had done would show pain as a glowing on the screen. All along my right tendon, under the ankle bone and across the top of my foot to the two outer toes glowed. The docs all said it was osteo arthritis. Seems if that is all that it was, and that's bad enough for sure, but wouldn't the meds I'm taking help more. Why does walking on it set off what I am calling extreme inflammation feeling along with achiness? If you find someone in the Raleigh/Durham NC area who helps you please let me know. I'm thinking of going to my pain mgmt. doctor. I've not had to see her in 2 yrs, my back pain has been monitored by my primary care MD.

[morrisk4869]

What is the rare disease that you were diagnosed with?

[lunarjoycie]

Hiya, yes, I've had cortisone injections in my hip and they were brilliant..felt as if I'd had a new hip! I'm having some sharp, stabbing, shock like pains on top of my foot and they come on so suddenly, they take my breath away. I haven't been to see my doc yet but I'll have to go...it's so painful it has me on edge now.    

[dewittclut]

I as well started having the same left ankle pain and went through a bunch of tests with no diagnosis.  Then I started having a host of other problems and even my walking gait got unstable, muscle pain, lower back issues, hips, etc.  Even did the chiropractor therapy.  Believe it or not it was my Mother who listened to my symptoms and quickly said it was hypothyroidism.  Went to the doctor and TSH standard thyroid tests came back normal, but my Vitamin D levels were quite low, which can cause nerve & bone damage as well. Had some difficulty swallowing, so requested a thyroid ultrasound, which showed it enlarged, so was sent to an endocrinologist and T3 & T4 tests confirmed hypothroidism. It does run in my family mostly with women,  but can affect men. Have now been on thyroid medicine,  iodine supplements and vitamin D and feeling much better and the ankle pain subsiding.  Endo doc says the nerve damage will heal but will take some time. He said up to 20% of the population have hypo o  hyper thyroidism that is not diagnosed by general doctors. Many diagnosed as having fibromyalgia due to unknown pain and lethargy have a thyroid problem. He also said that thyroid problems can cause high blood pressure/high cholesterol/high triglycerides/even diabetes. My general doctor put me on meds for most of the above symptoms, except diabetes before seeing the Endo and after 3 months on thyroid treatment, am off all those mere and have stabilized. Also note, high blood sugar & glucose intolerance including pres-diabetes can also cause the inside left ankle nerve pain, so glucose tolerance test may also help diagnosis. Mine was slightly high, but Endocrinologist attributed it to the thyroid problem.  Hope this possibly helps some people - good luck as I know what you are experiencing now.