Symptoms of compression neuropathy in the leg include:

• Numbness
• Tingling
• Burning pain in the feet, particularly in the evening
• Pain that continues to worsen over time

Loss of feeling in the feet can cause:

• Difficulty with balance
• Falling
• An inability to feel any injury to the feet and toes, which can
  result in infections and eventual loss of toes, feet or legs

The three nerves involved are:

• The posterior tibial nerve—providing feeling to the sole of
  the foot including the heel
• The peroneal nerve—providing feeling to the top of the foot
  and helping to lift the foot up
• The sural nerve—providing feeling to the outside of the foot

A neurosensory test can show how much feeling is left in the feet
by using a two-prong testing device. It determines:

• The pressure needed to feel the two prongs
• The minimal distance felt between the two prongs

A nerve conduction study may also performed to determine exactly
where the nerve is compressed by measuring the conduction
velocity of an electrical current through the nerve.

During an outpatient procedure compressed nerves are released by:

• Making two small incisions behind the ankle, on top of the foot
  and just below the outside of the knee
• Freeing up and mobilizing the nerves
• Restoring blood flow inside the nerve, which gives the nerve the
  ability to heal itself

After surgery:

• The leg is placed in a soft boot made of thick cotton and gauze
• Pressure can be placed on the foot by walking with the use of a
  walker over short distances
• Rest is recommended, and the feet should be kept elevated above
  the level of the heart
• Dressing is removed after one week
• Sutures are removed after three weeks

The burning pain should be relieved within days after surgery. The numbness improves as the nerve regenerates, depending on the amount of damage to the nerve. Patients improve up to one and a half years after surgery.