Tarsal tunnel nerve decompression is a simple surgical procedure to relieve pressure on your posterior tibial nerve. At Woodlands Hand To Shoulder Foot and Ankle Center in Shenandoah, Sugarland, and Humble, Texas, the experienced nerve entrapment specialists offer tarsal tunnel nerve decompression along with other innovative methods to ease your pain. Call the office nearest to you or book an appointment online today.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a problem occurring with compression of your posterior tibial nerve, a major nerve that regulates sensation in the heel and bottom of your foot.
The compression occurs when the tarsal tunnel — the narrow open space the posterior tibial nerve passes through — grows narrower. This narrowing and subsequent nerve compression cause significant discomfort.
Several issues may cause tarsal tunnel syndrome, including:
While tarsal tunnel syndrome usually develops because of long-term problems within your foot, it can also occur after traumatic foot and ankle injuries.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome causes pain, which may radiate down the path of your posterior tibial nerve. For example, you may have pain that starts in the ankle area and then shoots through the bottom of your foot. Many people experience a burning sensation, tingling, or numbness as well.
You'll receive anesthesia before your surgeon makes a small arc-shaped incision in your inner ankle. This incision reveals the flexor retinaculum, the band of fibrous tissue that creates the outermost wall of your tarsal tunnel.
Your surgeon then makes a small incision within the flexor retinaculum, just above the posterior tibial nerve. This incision allows the tissue to stretch, creating more space within your tarsal tunnel and easing the pressure on your posterior tibial nerve.
Your surgeon also inspects the branches of your posterior tibial nerve, including the lateral and medial plantar nerves that travel along your foot arch and the calcaneal nerve branches that move into your heel. They may make additional small incisions to free these nerves.
Conservative treatments like custom orthotics, oral anti-inflammatory medication or injections, rest, and physical therapy may relieve your tarsal tunnel syndrome symptoms.
However, if your problems last for a long time or return frequently, the Woodlands Hand To Shoulder Foot and Ankle Center team may recommend tarsal tunnel decompression surgery.
If you think you might have tarsal tunnel syndrome, call the Woodlands Hand To Shoulder Foot and Ankle Center office nearest to you, or book your tarsal tunnel decompression consultation online today.
