Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment in Millsboro and Seaford, DE
Schedule a Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Test
You might be at risk of tarsal tunnel syndrome if you have tibial nerve damage. At Southern Delaware Foot & Ankle, we can perform tarsal tunnel syndrome tests in Millsboro and Seaford, DE. Tarsal tunnel syndrome can affect people of all ages, and many people suffer through the symptoms without ever obtaining an official diagnosis or treatment. If you suspect you have symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome, call our office today to schedule a consultation. We offer non-invasive treatment options for numbness in the bottom of feet and shooting pain in the ankle. Our goal is to find the safest, least invasive, and most effective treatment method available to help you get back on your feet again.
What Is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?
The tarsal tunnel is on the inside of the ankle, comprised of the ankle bones and ligaments stretching across the foot. The tarsal tunnel contains blood vessels, nerves, and tendons that facilitate movement and flexibility of the foot. If the posterior tibial nerve is compressed, you will experience symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome, including pain, tingling, or numbness in the bottom of your feet. Our experienced doctors and team can perform a clinical exam, electrical testing, and diagnostic imaging to determine if you have tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms & Causes
Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be caused by any condition or injury that strains, damages, or compresses the tibial nerve. This includes:
● Fallen arches or high arches
● Swelling and inflammation due to a sprained, broken, or fractured ankle
● Swelling or nerve compression due to diabetes or arthritis
● Varicose veins, ganglion cysts, and bone spurs
● Masses like lipomas or tumors near the tibial nerve
● Systemic conditions like hypothyroidism
The most common symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome are:
● Nerve pain.
● Shooting pain in the ankle.
● Numbness in bottoms of feet.
● Burning sensation along the tibial nerve.
● Tingling or pins and needles sensation.
● Weakness in the foot muscles.
Diagnosing Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
If you suspect you’re showing tarsal tunnel syndrome symptoms, you can schedule a consultation with us for a tarsal tunnel syndrome test. During this test, we will gently tap your tibial nerve. If you experience pain, tingling, or other symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome, you may require further assessment. We can further assess your symptoms by using an electromyogram test. This test uses electrical impulses to stimulate and measure nerve and muscle function. We may also recommend an MRI. MRIs use radio waves and magnets to take detailed images of the bones and soft tissues in your body. We can use this test to assess you for injuries, nerve damage, or a mass that is putting pressure on your tibial nerve.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment Options
We offer surgical and non-surgical treatment options for tarsal tunnel syndrome. We always start with the least invasive treatment option and only recommend surgical intervention if your symptoms have worsened or haven't improved. Our non-surgical treatment options include anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, custom orthotics, and braces or splints. Surgical options are recommended if other treatment methods fail. Tarsal tunnel release surgery releases your tibial nerve or widens your tarsal tunnel to relieve pain and pressure, improve movement and function, and restore range of motion. If your tarsal tunnel syndrome is caused by a mass compressing the nerve, we will remove the mass.
Other Causes of Numbness in the Bottom of Feet
If you’re worried about numbness in the bottoms of your feet, you should schedule a consultation with our team as soon as possible. In addition to being a symptom of tarsal tunnel syndrome, foot numbness can also be a symptom of other serious conditions, including:
● Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
● Chronic alcohol abuse disorder
● Diabetic neuropathy
● Frostbite
● Herniated disc in the lumbar spine
● Lyme disease
● Multiple sclerosis
● Peripheral arterial or vascular disease
● Sciatica
● Shingles
● Spinal cord injury
● Vasculitis
Schedule a Consultation for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Call or contact us online to schedule a consultation for tarsal tunnel syndrome symptoms in Millsboro or Seaford, DE. Our team of experienced doctors and staff have decades of experience evaluating, diagnosing, and treating disorders and injuries of the foot and ankle. We always recommend the most effective yet least invasive treatment method available, though we also specialize in surgical and minimally-invasive treatment.