Burning, tingling, numbness, or shooting pain in your foot can be difficult to ignore. While these symptoms can have several causes, one possibility is tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when an important nerve near the inside of the ankle becomes compressed or irritated.
What Is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?
The tarsal tunnel is a narrow space located along the inside of your ankle. Several structures pass through this area, including the posterior tibial nerve.
When this nerve becomes compressed, tarsal tunnel syndrome can develop. It’s sometimes compared to carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist because both conditions involve compression of a nerve within a confined space.
What Does Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Feel Like?
Symptoms can vary from person to person and may occur around the ankle, heel, arch, or bottom of the foot.
Common symptoms include:
- Burning sensations
- Tingling or pins and needles
- Numbness
- Shooting or electric-like pain
- Pain along the inside of the ankle
- Symptoms that worsen with prolonged standing or activity
Some people experience symptoms in a relatively small area, while others feel them throughout much of the bottom of the foot.
What Causes Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?
Anything that places excessive pressure on the posterior tibial nerve can potentially contribute to tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Possible causes include swelling after an ankle injury, certain structural foot problems, masses or cysts near the nerve, and other conditions that reduce the available space within the tarsal tunnel.
Determining why the nerve is irritated is an important part of choosing the right treatment.
How Is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosed?
Because numbness and tingling can result from many different conditions, diagnosis begins with understanding where and when your symptoms occur.
Your provider may examine your foot and ankle, evaluate sensation and strength, and determine whether additional testing or imaging is appropriate.
How Is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Treated?
Treatment depends on what’s placing pressure on the nerve and how severe your symptoms are.
Conservative treatment may include reducing aggravating activities, addressing inflammation, improving footwear or foot support, and other treatments designed to reduce pressure on the nerve.
More advanced treatment may be considered when symptoms persist despite conservative care.
Should I Ignore Tingling or Numbness in My Feet?
No. Occasional tingling from sitting in an unusual position is one thing, but recurring or persistent numbness, burning, or tingling deserves attention.
Nerve symptoms can have several possible causes, and identifying the underlying problem is important for proper treatment.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment in Eugene
If burning, tingling, or numbness in your foot keeps coming back, Eugene Foot & Ankle can help determine what’s causing it.
Schedule an appointment for an evaluation and let us help you find the right approach to relieving your symptoms.
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