Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Patients presenting with or experiencing one or more of the following symptoms: Tingling, burning, numbness, pain including shooting and localised may have Tarsal Tunnel syndrome. The typical presentation can be felt on the inside of the ankle and or on the plantar surface of the foot. Symptoms may be isolated or occur in just one localised area, in others it may extend to the heel, arch, and toes and can even radiate to the calf. Onset of symptoms can be suddenly brought on by or aggravated by overuse of the foot such as prolonged standing, walking or exercising.

 

Early presentation, diagnosis and treatment are important as prolonged and untreated tarsal tunnel syndrome can lead to permanent nerve damage. Correct evaluation is essential so that the diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment put into place. The tarsal tunnel is a narrow space found on the inside of the ankle next to the ankle bones. It is covered with a thick ligament called the flexor retinaculum with the function being to protect and maintain the structures within the tunnel namely arteries, veins, tendons and nerves.

 

One of these structures is the posterior tibial nerve which is the focus of tarsal tunnel syndrome. The compression or squeezing on the posterior tibial nerve produces symptoms known as tarsal tunnel syndrome. The posterior tibial nerve runs along the inside of the ankle into the foot. It is a cause of foot and ankle pain mainly in adults.

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