Tinel’s test for the ankle assesses for the presence of nerve irritation or compression, particularly the tibial nerve or its branches, in the lower leg and foot. Here’s how it’s typically performed:
Advert
- Positioning: The patient should be in a seated or supine position with their ankle and foot accessible.
- Palpation: The examiner locates the tibial nerve by palpating along the inner aspect of the ankle, behind the medial malleolus (the bony prominence on the inner side of the ankle).
- Tapping: Using their fingers or a reflex hammer, the examiner lightly taps or percusses over the course of the tibial nerve, starting from the area behind the medial malleolus and moving distally down the inner aspect of the ankle.
- Observation: The examiner observes the patient’s response. A positive Tinel’s sign is indicated by tingling, pins and needles sensation, or shooting pain radiating along the path of the tibial nerve, typically into the sole of the foot or toes.
A positive Tinel’s sign in the ankle region may suggest nerve irritation or compression, which could be due to various conditions such as tarsal tunnel syndrome, entrapment neuropathies, or other nerve-related disorders. However, it’s important to interpret the test findings in conjunction with other clinical information and diagnostic tests for a comprehensive assessment and accurate diagnosis.
