Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Anatomy:
- The tarsal tunnel is the area between a fibrous band called the flexor retinaculum and the inside ankle bone called the medial malleolus.
- The most important structure and the one that causes symptoms is the posterior tibial nerve.
What Does Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Do?
- Protects the structures that run in the tunnel – nerves, tendons, arteries, and veins.
How Does Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Happen?
Excessive compression on the posterior tibial nerve via:
- Anatomical variations
- Bone spur
- Inflamed tendon
- Ganglion cyst
- Varicose vein
- Excessive pronation (flat feet)
- Overuse of ankle/foot
- Sudden increase in activity level
- Systemic diseases that cause inflammation
- Diabetes
- Injury to ankle/foot that causes swelling – could be a simple as an ankle sprain
Symptoms of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome:
- Pain, numbness, tingling, and/or burning at the inside of the ankle. Some people also complain of an “electric shock” feeling.
- Symptoms can travel along the nerve pathway, so you can get symptoms in calf, ankle, foot, and/or toes.
- Symptoms can appear gradually over time, or can appear suddenly.
- One may also experience symptoms at night.
- Possible limp because of pain
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Specialists in Minneapolis, MN
If you are experiencing any symptoms of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome please contact us today to set up your appointment with a Minnesota physical therapist. We have physical therapy clinics located in Minneapolis and Edina.
