Almost everyone has heard of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a common nerve condition affecting the wrist and hand. But did you know there’s a similar condition for the foot?

It’s called Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, and it can be the source of mysterious and debilitating foot pain. For this post, Advanced Foot Care of NJ will explain how you can spot it, stop it, and step past the symptoms with a podiatrist’s help.

What is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

Just as the carpal bones are in the hand, the tarsal bones are in the foot!

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the posterior tibial nerve, which runs through a narrow space called the tarsal tunnel on the inside of your ankle, becomes compressed or entrapped.
This constant pressure on the “pinched” nerve is what leads to pain and other frustrating symptoms.

Spotting the Signs: What Does Nerve Pain Feel Like?

One of the ways we can distinguish nerve pain from issues with ligaments, tendons, or bones is when it occurs.

While Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome pain can flare up from a shoe hitting the area or from routine walking, a key sign is pain that occurs while you are at rest.
You might be sitting or lying down when a burning, tingling, or electrical-type pain suddenly gets your attention.

Other common symptoms include:

Numbness
Sharp, shooting pain
A deep, persistent ache

Interestingly, the pain is often not felt where the nerve is being pinched. Instead, you might experience these symptoms in your heel, arch, the ball of your foot, or your toes.

Typically, there are no other visible signs like redness or swelling.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

The earlier Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is diagnosed, the better the chance that non-invasive solutions can successfully relieve the pain.

Ignoring the symptoms can lead to worsening discomfort and potentially more complex treatment needs down the road.
A podiatrist can perform a thorough evaluation to determine if your symptoms point to this specific nerve condition.

Finding Relief: Your Treatment Options

Surgery is only necessary when all conservative measures have failed.

Fortunately, many effective non-surgical remedies can relieve the pressure on the nerve and alleviate your pain. These often include:

Specific shoe recommendations
Custom orthotics
Laser therapy
Physical therapy

While Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome isn’t as common as its carpal tunnel counterpart, it can be more debilitating because it affects your ability to walk comfortably. If you are experiencing numbness, tingling, burning, or a deep ache on the inside of your ankle or the bottom of your foot, it’s worth getting it evaluated!

At Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC, our doctor and staff proudly serve the communities of Little Falls, Cedar Grove, Verona, Stoney Road, Sandy Hill, Albion Place, and Great Notch. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!