BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuTarsal tunnel syndromeTibial nerve dysfunction; Posterior tibial neuralgia; Neuropathy - posterior tibial nerve; Peripheral neuropathy - tibial nerve; Tibial nerve entrapmentTarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the tibial nerve is being compressed. This is the nerve in the ankle that allows feeling and movement to parts of the foot. Tarsal tunnel syndrome can lead to numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle damage mainly in the bottom of the foot. Causes Tarsal tunnel syndrome is an unusual form of peripheral neuropathy. It occurs when there is damage to the tibial nerve. Peripheral neuropathyPeripheral nerves carry information to and from the brain. They also carry signals to and from the spinal cord to the rest of the body. Peripheral n...Read Article Now Book Mark Article The area in the foot where the nerve enters the back of the inner side of the ankle is called the tarsal tunnel. This tunnel is normally narrow. When the tibial nerve is compressed, it results in the symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome.Pressure on the tibial nerve may be due to any of the following:Swelling from an injury, such as a dislocated, sprained, or broken ankle An abnormal growth, such as a bone spur, lump in the joint (ganglion cyst), swollen (varicose) vein Flat feet or a high archFlat feetFlat feet (pes planus) refer to a change in foot shape in which the foot does not have a normal arch when standing.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Damage to the tibial nerve may result from body-wide (systemic) diseases, such as diabetes, low thyroid function (hypothyroidism), arthritis, or hereditary nerve problems. In some cases, no cause can be found. Symptoms Symptoms may include any of the following: Sensation changes in the bottom of the foot and toes, including burning sensation, numbness, tingling, or other abnormal sensation NumbnessNumbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but they are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or le...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Pain at the ankle and in the bottom of the foot and toes Weakness and atrophy of foot muscles that move toesIn severe cases, the foot muscles are very weak, and the foot can be deformed. Exams and Tests Your health care provider will examine your foot and ask about your symptoms.During the exam, your provider may find you have the following signs:Inability to curl the toes, push the foot down, or twist the ankle inward Weakness of toe extensionTests that may be done include:Electromyography (EMG), a recording of electrical activity in muscles ElectromyographyElectromyography (EMG) is a test that checks the health of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Nerve conduction tests (recording of electrical activity along the nerve)Nerve conduction testsNerve conduction velocity (NCV) is a test to see how fast electrical signals move through a nerve. This test is done along with electromyography (EM...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Other tests may include imaging tests, such as x-ray, ultrasound, or MRI.UltrasoundUltrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.Read Article Now Book Mark Article MRIA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Blood tests may be done to look for medical conditions that lead to nerve damage. Treatment Treatment depends on the cause of the symptoms.Your provider will likely suggest first resting, putting ice on the ankle, and avoiding activities that cause symptoms. Over-the-counter pain medicine, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may help relieve pain and swelling. If symptoms are caused by a foot problem such as flat feet, custom orthotics or a brace may be prescribed. Physical therapy may help strengthen the foot muscles and improve flexibility. Steroid injection into the ankle may be needed. Surgery to enlarge the tarsal tunnel or transfer the nerve may help reduce pressure on the tibial nerve. Outlook (Prognosis) A full recovery is possible if the cause of tarsal tunnel syndrome is found and successfully treated. Some people may have a partial or complete loss of movement or sensation. Nerve pain may be uncomfortable and last for a long time.Loss of movementMuscle function loss is when a muscle does not work or move normally. The medical term for complete loss of muscle function is paralysis.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Nerve painNeuralgia is a sharp, shocking pain that follows the path of a nerve and is due to irritation or damage to the nerve. Common neuralgias include:Posth...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Possible Complications Untreated, tarsal tunnel syndrome may lead to the following:Deformity of the foot (mild to severe) Movement loss in the toes (partial or complete) Repeated or unnoticed injury to the leg Sensation loss in the toes or foot (partial or complete) When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Early diagnosis and treatment increases the chance that symptoms can be controlled.Open ReferencesReferencesKatirji B. Disorders of peripheral nerves. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 106.Smith G, Shy ME. Peripheral neuropathies. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 392.AllVideoImagesTog Tests for Tarsal tunnel syndrome Nerve conduction velocityRelated Information Tibia(Special Topic)Peripheral neuropathy(Condition)Mononeuropathy(Condition)Systemic(Special Topic)Multiple mononeuropathy(Condition)Myelin(Special Topic)Diabetes(Condition)Polyarteritis nodosa(Condition)Diabetes - type 1 - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 1/23/2023 Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. 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Tarsal tunnel syndromeTibial nerve dysfunction; Posterior tibial neuralgia; Neuropathy - posterior tibial nerve; Peripheral neuropathy - tibial nerve; Tibial nerve entrapmentTarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the tibial nerve is being compressed. This is the nerve in the ankle that allows feeling and movement to parts of the foot. Tarsal tunnel syndrome can lead to numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle damage mainly in the bottom of the foot. Causes Tarsal tunnel syndrome is an unusual form of peripheral neuropathy. It occurs when there is damage to the tibial nerve. Peripheral neuropathyPeripheral nerves carry information to and from the brain. They also carry signals to and from the spinal cord to the rest of the body. Peripheral n...Read Article Now Book Mark Article The area in the foot where the nerve enters the back of the inner side of the ankle is called the tarsal tunnel. This tunnel is normally narrow. When the tibial nerve is compressed, it results in the symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome.Pressure on the tibial nerve may be due to any of the following:Swelling from an injury, such as a dislocated, sprained, or broken ankle An abnormal growth, such as a bone spur, lump in the joint (ganglion cyst), swollen (varicose) vein Flat feet or a high archFlat feetFlat feet (pes planus) refer to a change in foot shape in which the foot does not have a normal arch when standing.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Damage to the tibial nerve may result from body-wide (systemic) diseases, such as diabetes, low thyroid function (hypothyroidism), arthritis, or hereditary nerve problems. In some cases, no cause can be found. Symptoms Symptoms may include any of the following: Sensation changes in the bottom of the foot and toes, including burning sensation, numbness, tingling, or other abnormal sensation NumbnessNumbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but they are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or le...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Pain at the ankle and in the bottom of the foot and toes Weakness and atrophy of foot muscles that move toesIn severe cases, the foot muscles are very weak, and the foot can be deformed. Exams and Tests Your health care provider will examine your foot and ask about your symptoms.During the exam, your provider may find you have the following signs:Inability to curl the toes, push the foot down, or twist the ankle inward Weakness of toe extensionTests that may be done include:Electromyography (EMG), a recording of electrical activity in muscles ElectromyographyElectromyography (EMG) is a test that checks the health of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Nerve conduction tests (recording of electrical activity along the nerve)Nerve conduction testsNerve conduction velocity (NCV) is a test to see how fast electrical signals move through a nerve. This test is done along with electromyography (EM...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Other tests may include imaging tests, such as x-ray, ultrasound, or MRI.UltrasoundUltrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.Read Article Now Book Mark Article MRIA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Blood tests may be done to look for medical conditions that lead to nerve damage. Treatment Treatment depends on the cause of the symptoms.Your provider will likely suggest first resting, putting ice on the ankle, and avoiding activities that cause symptoms. Over-the-counter pain medicine, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may help relieve pain and swelling. If symptoms are caused by a foot problem such as flat feet, custom orthotics or a brace may be prescribed. Physical therapy may help strengthen the foot muscles and improve flexibility. Steroid injection into the ankle may be needed. Surgery to enlarge the tarsal tunnel or transfer the nerve may help reduce pressure on the tibial nerve. Outlook (Prognosis) A full recovery is possible if the cause of tarsal tunnel syndrome is found and successfully treated. Some people may have a partial or complete loss of movement or sensation. Nerve pain may be uncomfortable and last for a long time.Loss of movementMuscle function loss is when a muscle does not work or move normally. The medical term for complete loss of muscle function is paralysis.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Nerve painNeuralgia is a sharp, shocking pain that follows the path of a nerve and is due to irritation or damage to the nerve. Common neuralgias include:Posth...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Possible Complications Untreated, tarsal tunnel syndrome may lead to the following:Deformity of the foot (mild to severe) Movement loss in the toes (partial or complete) Repeated or unnoticed injury to the leg Sensation loss in the toes or foot (partial or complete) When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Early diagnosis and treatment increases the chance that symptoms can be controlled.Open ReferencesReferencesKatirji B. Disorders of peripheral nerves. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 106.Smith G, Shy ME. Peripheral neuropathies. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 392.