Foot Burning? It Might Be Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
If you have ever heard of carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist, you already understand the basic concept of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Instead of your hand, this condition affects your foot, where the posterior tibial nerve, which runs along the inside of your ankle, gets squeezed or compressed. We at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists are going to break down why this is a problem and what symptoms it causes.
What Causes Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?
The tarsal tunnel is a narrow space on the inside of your ankle covered by a thick ligament. Because this space is so tight, even a tiny bit of extra pressure can compress the nerve. Several factors can cause this crowding:
- Flat Feet: If you have fallen arches, your heel tilts outward as you walk. This movement stretches and flattens the nerve against the ligament, leading to chronic irritation.
- Swelling and Inflammation: Ankle sprains or systemic conditions like arthritis can cause swelling in the tunnel, leaving very little room for the nerve to breathe.
- Enlarged Structures: Sometimes, a varicose vein, a ganglion cyst, or even a bone spur can grow inside the tunnel, physically pushing against the nerve.
- Repetitive Impact: Athletes who do a lot of jumping or running on hard surfaces may develop inflammation in the surrounding tendons, which eventually crowd the tarsal tunnel.
How to Tell if You Have Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
The symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome are often mistaken for general foot fatigue or plantar fasciitis, but there are a few key ways to tell the difference.
The Burning Sensation
Unlike a dull ache, tarsal tunnel pain often feels like a burning sensation or an electric shock. This feeling usually starts on the inside of the ankle and radiates down into the arch and the soles of your feet.
Numbness and Tingling
Because the nerve is being squeezed, you might feel pins and needles or total numbness in your toes. If you find yourself constantly shaking your foot out to wake it up, your posterior tibial nerve might be struggling.
The Tinel Sign
One way to check for this at home is to gently tap on the nerve just behind your ankle bone. If tapping that spot sends a jolt of pain or tingling into your foot, it is a strong indicator that the nerve is compressed.
Simple Solutions for Relief
- Support Your Arches: Using a supportive insert can prevent your foot from rolling inward, which immediately takes the tension off the nerve.
- Anti-Inflammatory Care: Resting, icing the inside of your ankle, and using compression can help reduce the swelling that is crowding the tunnel.
- Footwear Changes: Avoid shoes that are too tight around the ankle or those that lack proper arch support.
If you’re experiencing foot pain, discomfort, or changes in how you walk, come see the expert team at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists. With locations in Tucson and Oro Valley areas of Pima County, Arizona, Bradley A. Whitaker, D.P.M., FACFAS, Peter C. Merrill, D.P.M., AACFAS, and Zeno Pfau, D.P.M., are here for you. Call us at (520) 575-0800 or contact us online!
