Fax: (239) 692-9436
Tel: 239-430-3668Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a nerve compression problem in the ankle — the foot’s version of carpal tunnel syndrome. It occurs when the posterior tibial nerve is squeezed as it passes through the tarsal tunnel, a narrow space on the inside of the ankle. The result is burning, tingling and numbness that many patients find hard to pin down.
Symptoms of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- Burning or aching on the inside of the ankle
- Burning or tingling on the bottom of the foot
- Tingling in the sole that worsens with standing or walking
- Numbness or an electric, shooting sensation into the arch and toes
- Symptoms that worsen with activity and ease with rest
What Causes It
Anything that crowds the tarsal tunnel can compress the nerve — flat feet that strain the nerve, a prior ankle sprain or fracture, swelling, a ganglion cyst or varicose vein, or systemic conditions such as diabetes and arthritis. Identifying the underlying cause is key to lasting relief.
Diagnosis with Ultrasound Guidance
At Family Foot & Leg Center we diagnose tarsal tunnel syndrome with a hands-on exam, a Tinel’s sign test, and diagnostic ultrasound that lets us see the nerve in real time. That same ultrasound guidance lets us place a corticosteroid injection precisely around the posterior tibial nerve — as shown in the video above — for accurate, effective relief.
Treatment Options
- Custom orthotics and bracing to support the arch and offload the nerve
- Physical therapy and nerve-gliding exercises
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection
- Surgical release of the tarsal tunnel when conservative care fails
Get Relief in Southwest Florida
Burning, tingling foot pain rarely improves on its own. Family Foot & Leg Center offers same-day appointments at 9 locations from Naples to Sarasota. Call (239) 430-3668 (FOOT) or schedule online.
