Diagnosing & Treating Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is a foot condition that affects the tibial nerve, which runs down the leg, through the tarsal tunnel, and into the foot alongside the tibial artery and muscle tendons. When the tibial nerve gets compressed, damaged, or inflamed, symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome will present.

Symptoms of TTS

Patients with TTS commonly experience pain, tingling, numbness, and burning sensations inside the foot. These symptoms typically present near the ankle or sole of the foot, but can spread as far as the toes depending on the damage to the nerve.

What Causes TTS

The tibial nerve can become compressed due to overuse of the foot and ankle, such as prolonged periods of walking, running, hiking, or playing sports. This condition also commonly affects patients with flat feet or diabetes. It can be triggered by arthritis, abnormal bone growths, tumors and lesions, and severe trauma.

Treatment of TTS

The first step toward treatment is an accurate diagnosis. At Premier Bone & Joint Centers, our board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic physicians can determine if the unpleasant foot symptoms you’re experiencing are due to tarsal tunnel syndrome, and then we can pursue the best treatment.

We will always recommend non-invasive treatments first, such as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and the tried-and-true RICE approach: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Most times, this is all that’s needed for effective relief from TTS symptoms, but we can also administer injection therapy and suggest foot surgery for more extreme cases.

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above in your foot, make an appointment at Premier Bone & Joint Centers today. We can accurately diagnose your condition at our Laramie facility or any of our satellite clinics around Wyoming.