Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a painful foot condition in which the tibial nerve is compressed as it travels through the tarsal tunnel. This tunnel is found along the inner leg, behind the bump on the inside of your ankle. This disorder is relatively rare, and can be caused by a wide variety of factors.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of this ailment include:

• Pain and tingling in and around ankles
• Swelling of the feet
• Electric shock sensations
• Pain radiating up into the leg, and down into the arch, heel, and toes
• Hot and cold sensations in the feet
• Feeling as though the feet do not have enough padding
• Burning sensation on the bottom of foot that radiates upward

Because it’s difficult to determine the exact cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, it’s important to determine the source of the problem. The nerve can be compressed by benign tumors or cysts, bone spurs, inflammation of the tendon sheath, nerve ganglions, varicose veins, or swelling from a broken or sprained ankle.

TTS tends to be more common in athletes or individuals who stand for hours at a time, as they commonly put excessive stress on the tarsal tunnel area.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is not common, but it can be a sign of other problems in the foot, as well as cause you pain and making walking difficult. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, contact your trusted podiatrist for an appointment as soon as possible.