Sharp (nerve?) pain running down top of foot

[artemouse]

Hai there, I have a problem!

A few months ago i twisted my ankle ( went sideways over it, all my weight on it)

The ligaments/tendons on the outside of my foot are taking a loooong time to heal, but i'm confident they'll get better in time + rehab.

However i have a different, but prob related, problem

When I pull my toes right up, and then afterwards dorsiflex, i have a shooting pain that runs close to, and alongside, the main ligament/tendon that pulls/dorsiflex's the big toe up.

I've done some feeling around on my foot, and noticed that there is some muscle contracting (or, something HAPPENING) on the OUTSIDE of my foot, when i PULL/dorsiflex my big toe. I was wondering if there is something attached from the outside of the foot TO my big toe, and perhaps it was damaged/pulled out of line when i twisted my ankle.

I haven't been able to properly get back into running yet, can only half heatedly jog (ish) with my ankle this bad, and sometimes i seem to push off on the foot and get the same shooting pain... I'm worried as this doesn't seem to be getting any better!

As an aside, any recommendations for super-strong strapping to prevent the injury repeating itself? I'm going snowboarding in a few months!

Thanks

[Heidi]

Hi
I shouldn't be concerned about the muscle contracting on the outside of your foot on dorsiflexion, unless it is this that is causing you pain. The foot is very complex with lots of different muscles all contributing towards each movement and also controlling unwanted movements.
It is possible that when you sprained your ankle there was some damage to the extensor tendons of the foot which would cause the pain you describe. Either that or it could be a referred pain from elsewhere. I would recommend visiting a professional to get this assessed as like I say the foot is very complex.
As for the strapping, we have 3 different techniques on site which you can have a look at here: http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/ankle/sprained_ankle/ankle_taping.php?injury=anklesprain

[artemouse]

thanks very much!