Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

What is tarsal tunnel syndrome?

Similar to carpal tunnel syndrome (the condition that affects the wrist), tarsal tunnel syndrome is compression of a nerve within a limited space. The tibial nerve is the star player in tarsal tunnel syndrome.

What is a tarsal tunnel?
At the level of your inner ankles there is a narrow space right next to the bone which is covered with a thick ligament called the flexor retinaculum. (A ligament is a band of tissue that connects bones to bones).
This ligament protects the contents of the tunnel: the tibial artery, tibial veins, tibial nerve, and the tendons of 3 different muscles.

Symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome
The tibial nerve is the anatomical structure that is being squeezed within the space covered by the flexor retinaculum. As a result, the symptoms of this syndrome all deal with sensation – shooting pain, numbness, tingling and/or burning.
These symptoms are located at the level of the inside ankles and may extend to the bottom surface of the foot. In other instances, the pain may radiate to other areas such as the heel, toes, and arch of the foot. The sensations caused by nerve compression may be worsened by weightbearing activities such as walking or exercising!
If you are experiencing symptoms like these, it is important to have your podiatrist check out your condition right away. If it is not treated, the result may be permanent nerve damage!

What causes tarsal tunnel syndrome?
Conditions that compress the tibial nerve are the reasons that this syndrome arises.
- Flat feet: the heel tilt outwards and strains the nerve
- Swollen or enlarged anatomical structures that lie in the tarsal tunnel along with the tibial nerve such as tendon swelling, bone spurs, or varicose veins
- The nerve itself may swell up in arthritis and diabetic conditions

Treatment
There are numerous treatment options that will help keep tarsal tunnel syndrome symptoms in check such as resting and icing the area. Pain relieving medications such as ibuprofen may also reduce the pain. Consult your podiatrist for more advanced treatment options such as anesthetic injections, bracing and or surgery.

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com