Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome relates to tibial nerve which is subjected to unusual pressure.
A number of other nerves, and blood vessels pass through a passage, called tarsal tunnel in the medical jargon.
The tibial nerve has three components.
One is connected to the heel and other to the foot bottom.
The tarsal tunnel is made up of bone and tissues.
It causes exactly different symptoms in different parts of the foot.
Burning, shock waves etc.
are the usual feelings one gets at the heel and the foot base.
The big toe and the three other toes near to it loose all the sense of touch completely.
Other parts of the foot are also likely to be affected by this foot problem.
If the tibial nerve has been pressed very heavily it is likely that the entire foot may be affected by In such cases other symptoms also appear.
Pain in the ankles, inflammation etc.
are the result of the nerve getting over stressed due to tarsal TTS.
The process can be described in very simple terms.
Increasing pressure on the tunnel affects the blood vessels passing through them and the flow through them is severely restricted.
Since severe TTS causes this restriction of normal circulation of blood there is fluid collection and abnormal sensations are felt in parts of the foot.
The collection of fluid is more in any position other than sitting or lying down.
In a cyclic reaction this problem leads to the nervous system and muscles gradually affected and their normal working gets impaired.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome, without proper treatment, or in a severe form plays havoc with the nervous system of the leg and feet.
The pain may spread to other parts of the leg and foot.
The feeling in the feet alternates between hot and cold.
TTS requires to be properly diagnosed by a fully qualified medical expert.
He need not be a specialist though people usually go to a podiatrist.
A process of elimination and final confirmation, starting with x-ray and ending with mri scan will give a proper indication of the level to which the feet have been affected by tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Treatment of this condition is varied.
The intention is to remove the cause for the infection and restore the tibial nerve to a healthy condition.
Medications, painkiller injections, various kinds baths and a lot more are practiced.
If the condition does not change even after all the treatments it may become necessary to do a minor operation.
During the operation, all corrective measures required to restore the health of the nerve are done.
The incision is done at the back of the ankle and requires dressing.
Complications are rare, and post operation crutches are used to minimize pressure on the legs and feet.
Results of the surgical treatment for tarsal tunnel syndrome have been very encouraging.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome, is unlike other foot ailments, is not caused by external factors.
Therefore getting to the root cause of tarsal tunnel syndrome may not be easy.
Any malfunction of the various systems within the body may become a cause for tarsal tunnel syndrome.