Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a medical condition caused by the abnormal compression of the tibial nerve within the ankle. This condition occurs most frequently in adults---especially in people who are physically active. Tarsal tunnel syndrome can also develop as a result of certain diseases, such as osteoarthritis, or due to injury to the ankle. Speak with your doctor if you develop tarsal tunnel syndrome symptoms to determine what treatment option will be best for you.
Tingling
Initially, compression of the tibial nerve within the ankle due to tarsal tunnel syndrome can cause you to experience a mild tingling sensation within your ankle or the bottom (sole) of your foot. Burning or tingling sensations may arise intermittently during the early stages of tarsal tunnel syndrome. You may notice that such sensations appear after you have been standing for a long period of time. Recurrent inflammation and pressure around the tibial nerve can cause tingling sensation episodes to progressively increase in both severity and duration.
Numbness
In healthy people, nerves help transmit messages from your spinal cord and brain throughout your body. If a nerve become compressed or severed, the messages that this damaged nerve attempts to send may be incomplete. The nerve compression experienced by people with tarsal tunnel syndrome can cause sensations of numbness to develop within the ankle or sole of the foot due to incomplete nerve signaling. If this occurs, you can find it difficult to move your ankle normally or may have trouble putting weight on the affected foot. Prolonged periods or walking or standing can further aggravate the tibial nerve, leading to frequent episodes of numbness. Symptoms of numbness associated with this condition are typically accompanied by tingling or burning sensations within the affected foot.
Pain
If you have tarsal tunnel syndrome, you can experience symptoms of pain within the foot or ankle. Medical professionals at Patient UK, an informational health website, explain that these painful symptoms tend to be worse in the evening and can radiate down into your toes or up into the calf muscle of your leg. Such symptoms can cause weight-bearing activities, such as walking or running, to be significantly painful or difficult to perform. Inflammation of the tibial nerve can cause your foot or ankle to be tender to the touch. Allowing your feet to rest can help alleviate symptoms of pain, numbness or tingling associated with tarsal tunnel syndrome.
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