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Tarsal tunnel syndrome is also known as “tibial nerve dysfunction.” The condition is an entrapment neuropathy that is linked with the compression of tarsal tunnel structures. An incorrect diagnosis can create complications such as foot deformities and functional impairment. Let our experts at Care Podiatry help with early and reliable diagnosis.
How can you know if your discomfort is due to your tibial nerve or something else? When you have tarsal tunnel syndrome, the pain usually happens inside your ankle and the sole of your foot. Other signs include tingling, burning, or an electric shock sensation.
There is a possibility of its occurrence in just one spot, down to your foot, or even up into your calf. The pain is more localized in your ankle and foot. Other than these, you also experience numbness and pain that becomes worse if you stand or walk for a long time.
Unlike some conditions with only one cause, TTS can be triggered by various factors. These lead to pressure on the posterior tibial nerve.
Intrinsic (Internal) causes include tendon Inflammation or tenosynovitis, bony prominences or arthritis, lesions like ganglions, cysts, tumors, or lipomas, and thickened retinaculum.
Extrinsic (External) causes include trauma or ankle injury, systemic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, or inflammation, biomechanical abnormalities like flat feet, and swelling or edema around the ankle. In most cases, idiopathic causes make diagnosis difficult.
There are various risk factors that help patients know why symptoms can develop and when to seek evaluation. Tarsal Tunnel syndrome occurs when pressure builds around the posterior tibial nerve inside the ankle. There are various conditions that increase the likelihood of compression.
It can cause the foot to roll inward excessively. The inward collapse increases tension and pressure along the inside of the ankle. It places stress on the posterior tibial nerve.
Runners, athletes, and individuals who stand for long periods develop chronic inflammation in the ankle region. Repeated strain can cause swelling and thickening of tissues within the tarsal tunnel.
It can affect nerve health and increase vulnerability to nerve compression. Swelling, vascular changes, and existing neuropathy can worsen symptoms or delay healing.
Inflammatory or degenerative arthritis can cause joint swelling and bone changes. It narrows the tarsal tunnel space and increases nerve compression.
Excess body weight increases stress on the feet and ankles. The added load contributes to biomechanical strain and soft tissue inflammation around the nerve.
There is no single test to diagnose TTS, so our podiatrists check various aspects. It includes medical history and physical exam that focus on symptoms and physical findings like tenderness over the tarsal tunnel. Imaging studies, including MRI, X-rays, or ultrasound, are also conducted to determine the structural causes. Lastly, studies of nerve conditions show slowed nerve signals, though false negatives are possible.
If you have severe Tarsal Tunnel issues that do not improve with various treatment options, our podiatrists can check the conditions. Most of our patients visit us when their condition becomes worse. If you are experiencing ongoing foot or ankle pain, don’t wait for it to get worse. Contact Care Podiatry at (657) 441-1484 to schedule a comprehensive evaluation.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome happens when a nerve in your ankle gets squeezed in a tight space on the inside of your ankle.
Symptoms usually include shooting pain in the toes, tingling or burning in the sole, numbness in the foot, and pain that worsens with walking.
Mild cases can improve with rest, supportive footwear, and reducing inflammation. However, consistent symptoms should be checked to prevent long-term nerve damage.
