Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
National Institutes of Health
NCATS

COVID-19 is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation.

Get the latest public health information from CDC: https://www.coronavirus.gov (link is external)
Get the latest research information from NIH: https://covid19.nih.gov (link is external)

National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences
1-888-205-2311
Menu Search
1-888-205-2311
Menu
  • Home
  • Diseases expand submenu for Diseases
    • Browse A-Z
    • Find Diseases By Category expand submenu for Find Diseases By Category
      • Autoimmune / Autoinflammatory diseases
      • Bacterial infections
      • Behavioral and mental disorders
      • Blood Diseases
      • Chromosome Disorders
      • Congenital and Genetic Diseases
      • Connective tissue diseases
      • Digestive Diseases
      • Ear, Nose, and Throat Diseases
      • Endocrine Diseases
      • Environmental Diseases
      • Eye diseases
      • Female Reproductive Diseases
      • Fungal infections
      • Heart Diseases
      • Hereditary Cancer Syndromes
      • Immune System Diseases
      • Kidney and Urinary Diseases
      • Lung Diseases
      • Male Reproductive Diseases
      • Metabolic disorders
      • Mouth Diseases
      • Musculoskeletal Diseases
      • Myelodysplastic Syndromes
      • Nervous System Diseases
      • Newborn Screening
      • Nutritional diseases
      • Parasitic diseases
      • Rare Cancers
      • RDCRN
      • Skin Diseases
      • Viral infections
    • List of FDA Orphan Drugs
    • GARD Information Navigator
    • FAQs About Rare Diseases
  • Guides expand submenu for Guides
    • Patients, Families and Friends expand submenu for Patients, Families and Friends
      • How to Find a Disease Specialist
      • Tips for the Undiagnosed
      • Support for Patients and Families
      • Tips for Finding Financial Aid
      • Help with Travel Costs
      • How to Get Involved in Research
      • FAQs About Chromosome Disorders
      • Medical and Science Glossaries
    • Healthcare Professionals expand submenu for Healthcare Professionals
      • Caring for Your Patient with a Rare Disease
      • ICD Coding for Rare Diseases
      • FindZebra Diagnosis Assist Tool
    • Researchers expand submenu for Researchers
      • Finding Funding Opportunities
    • Teachers and Students expand submenu for Teachers and Students
      • Teaching Resources
  • News expand submenu for News
    • In The Spotlight
    • News Archive
    • Connect with GARD
    • Media Requests
  • About GARD expand submenu for About GARD
    • Contact GARD
    • About GARD
    • Videos
    • Brochures and Publications
  • En Español expand submenu for En Español
    • Enfermedades
    • Contacte GARD
    • Guías de Información expand submenu for Guías de Información
      • Preguntas Más Frecuentes Sobre Enfermedades Raras
      • Como Encontrar un Especialista en su Enfermedad
      • Consejos Para una Condición no Diagnosticada
      • Consejos Para Pacientes y Familias
      • Consejos Para Obtener Ayuda Financiera Para Una Enfermedad
      • Participe en Estudios de Investigación
      • Preguntas Más Frecuentes Sobre los Trastornos Cromosómicos
    • Sobre GARD
  • Home
© Positive Exposure
banner showing people with disabilities and/or their relatives
  1. Home
  2. Diseases
  3. Tarsal tunnel syndrome
print
  • Table of Contents expand submenu for Table of Contents
    • Summary
    • Symptoms
    • Cause
    • Treatment
    • Statistics
    • Learn More
    • GARD Answers
    • References
  • Browse A-Z
  • Find Diseases By Category expand submenu for Find Diseases By Category
    • Autoimmune / Autoinflammatory diseases
    • Bacterial infections
    • Behavioral and mental disorders
    • Blood Diseases
    • Chromosome Disorders
    • Congenital and Genetic Diseases
    • Connective tissue diseases
    • Digestive Diseases
    • Ear, Nose, and Throat Diseases
    • Endocrine Diseases
    • Environmental Diseases
    • Eye diseases
    • Female Reproductive Diseases
    • Fungal infections
    • Heart Diseases
    • Hereditary Cancer Syndromes
    • Immune System Diseases
    • Kidney and Urinary Diseases
    • Lung Diseases
    • Male Reproductive Diseases
    • Metabolic disorders
    • Mouth Diseases
    • Musculoskeletal Diseases
    • Myelodysplastic Syndromes
    • Nervous System Diseases
    • Newborn Screening
    • Nutritional diseases
    • Parasitic diseases
    • Rare Cancers
    • RDCRN
    • Skin Diseases
    • Viral infections
  • List of FDA Orphan Drugs
  • GARD Information Navigator
  • FAQs About Rare Diseases
You can help advance
rare disease research!
You can help advance rare disease research!
toolbox
Find out how with the NCATS Toolkit.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome


Title




Other Names:
Posterior Tibial Nerve Neuralgia; Neuropathy of the posterior tibial nerve and its branches
Categories:
Musculoskeletal Diseases

Summary Summary


Listen
Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a nerve disorder that is characterized by pain in the ankle, foot, and toes. This condition is caused by compression of the posterior tibial nerve, which runs through a canal near the heel into the sole of the foot. When tissues around this nerve become inflamed, they can press on the nerve and cause the pain associated with tarsal tunnel syndrome.[1]
Last updated: 3/30/2015

Symptoms Symptoms


Listen
The symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome can vary from person to person. The most common symptom of tarsal tunnel syndrome is foot and ankle pain. Individuals may also experience a burning or tingling sensation and numbness.[2] These symptoms may occur when a person stands, walks, or wears a particular type of shoe.[1] Pain usually worsens during walking and is relieved by rest.[1]
Last updated: 7/15/2013

Cause Cause


Listen
There are a variety of factors that may cause tarsal tunnel syndrome. These may include repetitive stress with activities, trauma (e.g., crush injury, stretch injury, fractures, ankle dislocations or sprains), flat feet, and excess weight. Additionally, any lesion that occupies space within the tarsal tunnel region may cause pressure on the nerve and subsequent symptoms. Examples include tendonitis, hematoma, tumor, varicose veins, and lower extremity edema.[2]
Last updated: 7/15/2013

Treatment Treatment


Listen
While we do not provide medical advice, the following have been reported as treatment options for tarsal tunnel syndrome.[2] Individuals should discuss the various treatment options with their personal healthcare provider.

  • Rest and ice
  • Oral pain medications
  • Steroid injections
  • Local anesthetics
  • Physical therapy
  • Immobilization
  • Orthotic devices
  • Decompression surgery
  • Last updated: 7/15/2013

    Statistics Statistics


    Listen
    The incidence and prevalence of tarsal tunnel syndrome is unknown.[3][4] 
    Last updated: 3/30/2015
    Do you have updated information on this disease? We want to hear from you.

    Learn More Learn More


    Listen

    These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

    Where to Start

    • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
    • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

    In-Depth Information

    • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
    • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
    • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Tarsal tunnel syndrome. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

    GARD Answers GARD Answers


    Listen

    Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

    • What is the prevalence of Tarsal tunnel syndrome? See answer

    • My daughter's doctor is recommending surgery to remove the bone and lengthen the nerve.  I was reading that this surgery has a 13 percent complication rate.  Could you tell me what these complications might be? See answer


    Have a question? Contact a GARD Information Specialist.

    References References


    1. Whitney KA. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook. December 2012; http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/bone_joint_and_muscle_disorders/foot_problems/tarsal_tunnel_syndrome.html. Accessed 3/30/2015.
    2. Tarsal tunnel syndrome. American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Web site. February 1, 2004; http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/tarsal-tunnel-syndrome.htm. Accessed 2/26/2008.
    3. Persich G, Touliopoulos S. Tarsal tunnel syndrome. Medscape Reference. April 23, 2014; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1236852-overview. Accessed 3/30/2015.
    4. Kennedy JG. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). 2012; http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/370/viewAbstract. Accessed 3/30/2015.
    Do you know of a review article? We want to hear from you.
    You can help advance
    rare disease research!
    You can help advance rare disease research!
    toolbox
    Find out how with the NCATS Toolkit.

    Share this content:

    Share this content:

    twitter-icon facebook-icon contact-icon link-icons

    Copy Link

    Link copied to your clipboard.

    printer-icon

    You May Be Interested In

    How to Find a Disease Specialist

    How to Find a Disease Specialist

    Tips for the Undiagnosed

    Tips for the Undiagnosed

    Support for Patients and Families

    Support for Patients and Families

    Tips for Finding Financial Aid

    Tips for Finding Financial Aid

    Help with Travel Costs

    Help with Travel Costs

    How to Get Involved in Research

    How to Get Involved in Research

    FAQs About Chromosome Disorders

    FAQs About Chromosome Disorders

    Medical and Science Glossaries

    Medical and Science Glossaries

    Caring for Your Patient with a Rare Disease

    Caring for Your Patient with a Rare Disease

    ICD Coding for Rare Diseases

    ICD Coding for Rare Diseases

    FindZebra Diagnosis Assist Tool

    FindZebra Diagnosis Assist Tool

    Finding Funding Opportunities

    Finding Funding Opportunities

    Teaching Resources

    Teaching Resources

    placeholder for the horizontal scroll slider Back to top
    GARD Home NCATS Home Site Map Browse Glossary A-Z Privacy Notice Disclaimer Accessibility FOIA OIG

    If you have problems viewing PDF files, download the latest version of Adobe Reader

    For language access assistance, contact the NCATS Public Information Officer

    Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) - PO Box 8126, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126 - Toll-free: 1-888-205-2311

    contact gard Office of Rare Disease Research Facebook Page Office of Rare Disease Research on Twitter
    Listen