Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
Symptoms
Typically affect the medial ankle and plantar foot:
- Tingling, burning, or electric-shock sensations
- Numbness along the arch, heel, and sole
- Shooting pain radiating up the leg
- Worsening with activity, standing, or at night
Causes
- Compression of the posterior tibial nerve in the tarsal tunnel (behind medial malleolus)
- Causes: flat feet, ankle sprain, ganglion cyst, varicose veins, tenosynovitis, diabetes, arthritis
Treatment
- Conservative: Rest, ice, NSAIDs, orthotics (arch support), immobilization, physical therapy
- Injections: Corticosteroid into tarsal tunnel
- Surgery: Tarsal tunnel release (decompression) if conservative fails
Early diagnosis improves outcomes. See a podiatrist or orthopedist for persistent foot nerve symptoms.
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