Isolated sural neuropathy: report of two cases.

Two cases of isolated sural neuropathy are reported. In 1 case it was thought that the neuropathy was a direct result of compression of the sural nerve by a combat boot. In the 2nd case the etiology possibly involved 2 factors: chronic trauma to the nerve by walking on an inverted foot and irritative neuritis secondary to chronic, low-grade thrombophlebitis of the small saphenous vein. In both cases nonsurgical treatment was successful. Although isolated sural neuropathy occurs infrequently, the diagnosis should be considered in patients who have numbness along the lateral aspects of the foot.