• Disease Overview
  • Signs & Symptoms
  • Causes
  • Affected Populations
  • Disorders with Similar Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Standard Therapies
  • Clinical Trials and Studies
  • References
  • Programs & Resources
  • Complete Report

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

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Last updated: September 21, 2018
Years published: 1987, 1989, 2000, 2012, 2015, 2018


Acknowledgment

NORD gratefully acknowledges John G. Kennedy, MD, Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon, Yoshiharu Shimozono, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon, and Niall A. Smyth, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery Resident, Hospital for Special Surgery, for assistance in the preparation of this report.


Disease Overview

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a rare disorder caused by damage to the tibial nerve or its branches, usually due to compression as it passes through the tarsal tunnel (entrapment neuropathy). The tarsal tunnel is a narrow passageway bound by bone and soft tissue that lies on the inside of the ankle. The tibial nerve (as well as certain blood vessels and tendons) passes through the tarsal tunnel. However, the term tarsal tunnel syndrome is often broadly applied to any pain along the tibial nerve, which can result from a multitude of causes. Individuals with tarsal tunnel syndrome may experience pain, burning, or a tingling sensation along the tibial nerve.

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Signs & Symptoms

The specific symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome can vary from one person to another. In some cases, symptoms can develop suddenly, and in others gradually. Some affected individuals may experience a sharp, shooting pain along the tibial nerve. This nerve branches off from the sciatic nerve and runs down the lower leg to the ankle and then the foot. Pain can be severe enough to cause a person to limp. Affected individuals may describe a radiating pain that cannot be localized to one spot. In addition to or instead of pain, affected individuals may experience numbness of the affected area or a burning or tingling sensation (paresthesia), which is often described as similar to “pins and needles”.

In some individuals, symptoms may affect one spot such as the inside of the ankle. In other individuals, symptoms can affect the ankle, heel and foot. For example, pain may radiate from the ankle down to the heel or even the foot, depending on which section of the nerve is affected. Less frequently, pain may radiate up from the ankle to the calf.

The symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome are often worsened by activity such as prolonged standing or walking. Consequently, pain may worsen throughout an active day. Symptoms are usually relieved by rest. However, as the disorder progresses, some affected individuals have reported pain that occurs during rest or at night when attempting to sleep.

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Causes

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be caused by any condition that causes compression of the tibial nerve or its branches as it passes through the tarsal tunnel. A wide variety of conditions can cause tarsal tunnel syndrome including space-occupying lesions or masses, which may increase pressure in the tunnel. Such lesions include tumors consisting mainly of fat tissue (lipomas), tumors consisting of nerve fibers and ganglion cells (gangliomas) and tumors of the nerve sheath (schwannomas).

Additional conditions that can cause tarsal tunnel syndrome include a benign bony growth in the tarsal tunnel (exostosis), enlarged (varicose) veins and inflammation of the synovial membrane (proliferative synovitis). Certain injuries or trauma such as an ankle sprain, fracture or valgus foot deformity may cause inflammation and swelling that can lead to tarsal tunnel syndrome. In addition, certain disorders such as diabetes and arthritis can also cause inflammation and swelling that can lead to tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Individuals who have severely flat feet (pes planus) are at a greater risk of developing tarsal tunnel syndrome than the general population because the flattened “fallen” arches can stretch the tibial nerve.

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Affected populations

The incidence and prevalence of tarsal tunnel syndrome is unknown. The disorder is believed to affect males and females in equal numbers.

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Diagnosis

A diagnosis of tarsal tunnel syndrome is made based upon identification of characteristic symptoms, a detailed patient history, a thorough clinical evaluation and a variety of specialized tests. A specific finding that can detect an irritated nerve is Tinel’s sign. During a Tinel’s sign test, a doctor will tap or apply pressure to the tibial nerve. If this causes a tingling or a “pins and needles” sensation in the foot or toes, it is considered positive and is indicative of tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Additional tests that may be performed include electromyography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Electromyography is a test that can determine the health of muscles and nerves and can detect nerve dysfunction. An MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce cross-sectional images particular organs and bodily tissues and may be used if a space-occupying is the suspected cause of tarsal tunnel syndrome or to detect if the nerve is irritated.

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Standard Therapies

Treatment
The treatment of tarsal tunnel syndrome is directed toward the specific symptoms that are apparent in each individual. Physicians may recommend conservative treatment, which can include rest, contrast baths, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and nonrigid orthotics. Orthotics refers to devices such as splints or braces that are used to protect or correct the position of the foot. In some cases, changing to looser or larger footwear to reduce tightness can relieve pain associated with tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Some individuals may benefit from a local injection of certain medications (anesthetics) to reduce pain or corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. This may also prove to be diagnostic, as relief brought on by an injection of an anesthetic around the affected nerve confirms the diagnosis. Immobilization such as through the use of a cast can also be beneficial in some cases. Physical therapy may also be recommended.

Individuals with tarsal tunnel syndrome due to flat feet may be treated with orthotics designed to provide support or restore the natural arch of the foot.

Surgery is recommended for individuals with severe symptoms who do not respond to conservative treatment. The purpose of the surgery is to decompress the nerve from within the tarsal tunnel and/or removal of any space-occupying lesion.

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Clinical Trials and Studies

Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. Government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government web site.

For information about clinical trials being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:

Tollfree: (800) 411-1222
TTY: (866) 411-1010
Email: prpl@cc.nih.gov

Some current clinical trials also are posted on the following page on the NORD website:
https://rarediseases.org/living-with-a-rare-disease/find-clinical-trials/

For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
www.centerwatch.com

For information about clinical trials conducted in Europe, contact:
https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/

Contacts for additional information about tarsal tunnel syndrome:

John G. Kennedy, MD, MCh, MMSc, FFSEM, FRCS (Orth)
Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon
KennedyJ@HSS.edu

Niall A. Smyth, MD
Orthopaedic Resident
Niall.Smyth@jhsmiami.org
Hospital for Special Surgery
535 East 72nd Street
New York, NY 10021
Website: sportsmedicinenewyork.com

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References

TEXTBOOKS
Cook RA, O’Malley MJ. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. NORD Guide to Rare Disorders. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Philadelphia, PA. 2003:592.

JOURNAL ARTICLES
Low HL, Stephenson G. These boots weren’t made for walking: tarsal tunnel syndrome. CMAJ. 2007;176:1415-1416.

Miranpuri S, Snook E, Vang D, Yong RM, Chagares WE. Neurilemoma of the posterior tibial nerve and tarsal tunnel syndrome. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2007;97:148-150.

Gondring WH, Shields B, Wenger S. An outcomes analysis of surgical treatment of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Foot Ankle Int. 2003.24:545-550.

Nagaoka M, Satou K. Tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by ganglia. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1999;81:607-610

INTERNET
Persich G, Touliopoulos S. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. Medscape. Updated: Jun 21, 2018. Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1236852-overview Accessed Sept. 12, 2018.

Wheeless CR. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. Wheeless’ Textbook of Orthopaedics. May 23, 2012. Available at: https://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/tarsal_tunnel_syndrome Accessed Sept. 12, 2018.

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