Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is described as numbness, tingling, and weakness on the medial ankle (inside part) and is similar in effect to what Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is in the wrist. We have a piece of tissue, called a retinaculum, which is like a thin ligament, that holds certain structures and vessels in place. The retinaculum in the medial ankle is called the flexor retinaculum. When there is pressure or tension in the area and a particular nerve is compressed (in this case the tibial nerve), this creates the ‘syndrome.’ Regarding the wrist, the median nerve is compressed in the Carpal tunnel, causing tingling, numbness, and weakness. In the medial side of the ankle, the tibial nerve is compressed in the Tarsal tunnel, causing tingling, numbness, and weakness in the medial foot/ankle and toes.
The Tarsal tunnel has more structures that course through the region and any/all of them can be affected by injury, repetitive use injury, or compression. Continue Reading →
