Tarsal tunnel syndrome of the feet is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome of the hands.
The cause of this syndrome is an entrapment of the tibial nerve, which runs inwards from the inner ankle. The entrapment of the nerve occurs as a result of a sagging foot arch and/or valgus position of the heel bone, whereby the heel bone falls inwards, as a result of a fracture of the inner ankle or a fracture of the heel bone.
The main symptoms of Tarsal tunnel syndrome include numbness in the foot, with radiation to the big toe, pressure pain on the inside of the heel, pain on lifting and inward twisting of the foot. The pain is proportional to the degree of strain, so that most pain often occurs in the evening or at night.
To treat this problem, the arch of the foot should be supported at the longitudinal level. This can be done after extensive podiatric examination by wearing podiatric insoles.
If the podiatric insoles do not improve sufficiently, an injection of local anaesthetic may relieve the pain more quickly, but if this also proves insufficient, surgical intervention by an orthopaedic foot surgeon will have to be considered, during which the tendon band that pinches the nerve will be loosened.