We’re now here in the office about 10 months out from an operation in which we performed a decompression of the common peroneal nerve and removed her sural nerve. The sural nerve travels down to the outside of the heel, to this region here. We also released a superficial peroneal nerve that was stuck in an arthroscopy portal.

In December 2022, she had undergone a major ankle-reconstruction procedure. You can see the scar here from that surgery. She had a peroneal-tendon repair, ankle arthroscopy through two portal sites, a microfracture of a cartilage surface in the joint, and a ligament reconstruction.

Life Before Meeting Dr. Williams

Prior to coming to Dr. Williams, after my ankle surgery the pain never went away—it actually got worse. I’d had two nerve blocks before the surgery that never really wore off. I experienced extreme pain down and on top of my leg, with a lot of electrical currents. It was constant; it didn’t go away. I also had a lot of numbness post-surgery. I was then referred to Dr. Williams, where we proceeded with additional surgeries.

What Surgeries Were Done

The goal of this operation was to restore as much sensation to the top of her foot as possible while removing the nerve to the outside of the foot. It was painfully numb—numb yet very painful—so we didn’t feel we could salvage that nerve. Because of other incisions back here, we elected to remove it, hoping to trade painful numbness for simple numbness without pain.

I can touch this now. How does that feel to you?
Just numb, no pain.

Before surgery the area was numb but touching it drove me crazy. A light tap sent electricity down the foot; now that’s better.

This area of her foot still has feeling; occasionally she reports a twinge, but compared with before surgery we’re very pleased. It’s been roughly 10 months.

Post-Surgery Results and Recovery

How much improvement would you say you have in that part of your foot?
About 90 percent. I no longer get zapped constantly when I walk or put on a shoe. Now it’s just normal numbness. I can do many activities I couldn’t do before the surgery.

Would you consider that portion of your case a success?
Yes—100 percent.

Thank you.