Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common and well-known condition. You or probably someone very close to you has it or has had it. What is not so common and not known by the majority of people, is a condition called Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. It’s the foot’s version of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The carpal bones are in the hand and the tarsal bones in the foot.
Just like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is a nerve condition. The term “pinched nerve” has been used to describe both of them. Other common terms are “entrapment” or “compression.” All of these terms refer to the fact that pressure is being placed on the nerve that otherwise wouldn’t be there. Just like a pinched nerve in the back, pain is the result. Sometimes the pain can be severe enough to hamper walking.
The Tarsal Tunnel refers to the area of the foot located around the ankle bone on the inside of your lower leg. A nerve, vein, and artery pass through the tarsal tunnel. It’s the nerve that gets compressed or “pinched” in the tunnel that causes the symptoms similar to the symptoms in the hand.
What Are The Symptoms of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?
The symptoms of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome are similar to most nerve conditions - tingling, burning, numbness, shooting pain, and deep ache are all possible. The pain of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, just like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, is often not where the tunnel is located. The pain can occur in the heel, the arch, the ball of the foot, or the toes. Typically, there aren’t other signs or symptoms such as redness, swelling, or a particular deformity of the foot.
One of the ways we can distinguish nerve pain, different from ligament, tendon, muscle, and bone pain, is that the pain often occurs when sitting or lying down. Burning, tingling or an electrical type of pain can suddenly get your attention while being off your feet. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome pain can also flare up from a shoe hitting the area or just routine walking.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is best diagnosed based on the history of the pain, a physical exam of the area, and a specific nerve test. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the chance a non-invasive solution can relieve the pain. Some of the remedies for this condition are specific shoe recommendations, custom orthotics, laser therapy, physical therapy, and a cortisone shot. Surgery is only necessary when all the conservative measures have failed.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome isn’t nearly as common as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but it can be more debilitating. If you have numbness, tingling, burning, sharp pain, or a deep ache on the inside of your ankle and/or the bottom of your foot, having us evaluate it for this possible diagnosis would benefit you. We’ll do everything we can to relieve the pain quickly and avoid surgery.
Are You Suffering From A Painful Foot Condition?
If you are suffering from a painful foot condition you're not alone. Help is available. Contact our experienced podiatrist for help today. We are conveniently located in Clifton, New Jersey, and look forward to helping you alleviate your foot pain. Contact us online or call our office directly at 973.777.5771 to schedule your appointment.
