3. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

This PatientPlus article is written for healthcare professionals so the language may be more technical than the condition leaflets. You may find the abbreviations list helpful.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a compression neuropathy of the posterior tibial nerve as it passes in the anatomical tarsal tunnel, which lies posterior to the medial malleolus and beneath the retinaculum of the flexor muscles of the foot.[1]

  • Anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome refers to compression of the deep peroneal nerve. It is rare and causes pain, weakness, and sensory changes of the foot and ankle.[2]
  • Distal tarsal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the the first branch lateral plantar nerve or the medial calcaneal nerve and presents with heel pain.[3]

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is most common in active adults, but it can also occur in children:

  • It is often caused by osteoarthritis, post-traumatic ankle deformities (scar tissue may also restrict movement in the tarsal tunnel and cause nerve entrapment) or tenosynovitis. It may also be associated with rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.
  • Compression may also result from a cyst, lipoma, ganglion, exostosis or neoplasms within the tarsal tunnel.
  • People with severely flat feet are at increased risk of developing tarsal tunnel syndrome.[3]
  • Trauma to the ankle.

Symptoms

  • When entrapment compresses the nerve, it causes ankle pain and a burning sensation, numbness and tingling on the sole of the foot. Symptoms are usually unilateral.
  • Symptoms may be worse at night.
  • The pain tends to be aggravated by prolonged standing or walking, normally worsens as the day progresses and can usually be relieved by rest, elevation or massage.
  • Pain may radiate along the sole of the foot, sometimes up into the calf.
  • Pain may be aggravated when the ankle is placed in extreme dorsiflexion.

Signs

  • Examination may reveal Tinel's sign (radiating pain following nerve percussion behind the medial malleolus) over the tibial nerve at the ankle. Manual compression for 30 seconds may also reproduce symptoms.
  • Examination may reveal wasting of the intrinsic muscles in the medial aspect of the foot and sensory impairment over the sole.
  • Two-point discrimination sensory testing may indicate which branch of the plantar nerve is compressed.

A variety of soft-tissue, osseous, and systemic disorders can cause heel pain:[4]

  • The most common cause of heel pain in adults is plantar fasciitis.
  • Achilles tendonitis is associated with posterior heel pain.
  • Calcaneal stress fractures are more likely to occur in athletes who participate in sports that require running and jumping.
  • Heel pad atrophy may present with diffuse plantar heel pain, especially in patients who are older and obese.
  • Lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse.
  • The diagnosis is largely clinical with assessment of possible differential diagnoses and any specific underlying cause of tarsal tunnel syndrome.
  • Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies may be helpful in confirming the diagnosis.
  • MRI scanning may be used to identify any underlying lesions and the specific site of compression.

Conservative treatment

  • Arch supports and wider shoes may successfully relieve the discomfort of tarsal tunnel syndrome.
  • If inflammation of the nerve is causing the compression, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be beneficial.
  • Steroid injections may also be effective.
  • Orthotics for associated flat feet.

Surgery

  • Surgical decompression by section of the flexor retinaculum should be considered when significant symptoms do not respond to conservative management.[3]
  • Tarsal tunnel release has been shown to be very effective in relieving symptoms.[5][6]
  • Surgical release improves or resolves symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome in 85% to 90% of cases.[7]
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Further reading & references

  1. Franson J, Baravarian B; Tarsal tunnel syndrome: a compression neuropathy involving four distinct tunnels. Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2006 Jul;23(3):597-609.
  2. DiDomenico LA, Masternick EB; Anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome. Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2006 Jul;23(3):611-20.
  3. Wheeless' Online Textbook of Orthopaedics; Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  4. Aldridge T; Diagnosing heel pain in adults. Am Fam Physician. 2004 Jul 15;70(2):332-8.
  5. Sammarco GJ, Chang L; Outcome of surgical treatment of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Foot Ankle Int. 2003 Feb;24(2):125-31.
  6. Gondring WH, Shields B, Wenger S; An outcomes analysis of surgical treatment of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Foot Ankle Int. 2003 Jul;24(7):545-50.
  7. Reade BM, Longo DC, Keller MC; Tarsal tunnel syndrome. Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2001 Jul;18(3):395-408.
Original Author: Dr Colin Tidy Current Version:
Last Checked: 21/06/2010 Document ID: 2832  Version: 21 © EMIS

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. EMIS has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions.

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