Foot & Ankle Care

The orthopedic surgeons at Great Lakes Orthopedics & Sports
Medicine, P. C. can evaluate your foot & ankle condition and provide the customized treatment plan to get you back to enjoying life!!

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Foot & Ankle Specialists In The Greater St. John, Crown Point and Lowell, Areas

The orthopedic surgeons at Great Lakes Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, P. C. treat foot & ankle conditions and injuries at their 3 convenient offices in
St. John, Crown Point and Lowell, Indiana.  Our orthopedic physicians are specially-trained in treating foot & ankle conditions and injuries.  As leaders in orthopedic care, we provide minimally invasive and innovative treatment options, as well as utilizing state-of-the art technologies, to create unique and individualized care plan designed to get you back on your road to recovery and regaining an active lifestyle!!

FAQs on Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is compression or squeezing on the posterior tibial nerve at the inner aspect of the ankle. This painful condition is often due to injury or inflammation. Similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel refers to the compression of a nerve in a confined space.

The tarsal tunnel is an area created by the very strong, laciniate ligament that covers a bony canal through which pass some of the major nerve, artery, vein, and tendons of the foot. Individuals who suffer from tarsal tunnel syndrome exhibit symptoms that include tingling, burning sensations, numbness, and shooting pain.

These symptoms occur most often at rest or just before sleeping at night.

Cause & Symptoms

Cause

Tarsal tunnel syndrome may be caused by:

  • An injury such as a fracture, ankle sprain, or contusion
  • Arthritis
  • Diabetes
  • Masses pressing on the nerve
  • Strenuous athletic activity
  • Varicose veins that press on the nerve
  • Abnormally large nerves which result in the compression against the ligament that covers the tarsal tunnel
  • Continuous, multiple traumas that stretch the nerve
  • Compensating for other leg or foot problems such as short leg syndrome, hip and knee abnormalities, or heel pain

Symptoms

Symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) may include:

  • Shooting pain in the foot
  • Numbness
  • Tingling or burning sensation

Diagnosis

Proper diagnosis of a tarsal tunnel syndrome requires the expert attention of experienced orthopaedic specialists.

Diagnosis will include:

  • A comprehensive clinical exam
  • Complete medical history
  • Electrical testing (EMG or nerve conduction study)
  • Imaging (X-rays, CT, or MRI scans)

Diagnosis is necessary to determine the severity of the condition, so the appropriate treatment plan, including a surgical option, can be considered.

Treatment Options

Whenever possible, Great Lakes Orthopedics & Sports Medicine orthopaedic surgeons will prescribe nonsurgical treatment options before surgery is recommended.

Possible treatment options may include anti-inflammatory medications or steroid injections into the nerves in the tarsal tunnel to relieve pressure and swelling.

Orthosis (e.g., braces, splints, orthotic devices) may be recommended to reduce pressure on the foot and limit movement that could cause compression on the nerve.

Surgery for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Depending on the severity of the condition, one of several surgical options may be recommended, including:

Tarsal Tunnel Release

The procedure to release the flexor retinaculum can usually be done using either a spinal type anesthetic or a general anesthetic. Once you have anesthesia, your surgeon will make sure the skin of your leg and ankle are free of infection by cleaning the skin with a germ-killing solution.

The surgeon then makes a small incision in the skin behind the inside ankle bone (medial malleolus). The incision is made along the course of the tibial nerve where it curves behind the malleolus. The nerve is located and released by cutting the flexor retinaculum. The surgeon will then surgically follow the nerve into the foot, making sure the nerve is free of pressure throughout its course.

The flexor retinaculum is left open to give the nerves more space. Eventually, the gap between the two ends of the flexor retinaculum fills in with scar tissue.   Following surgery, the skin is repaired with stitches.