30 years
The numbness only occurs on the toes of my right foot, not the hands. And no new pair of shoes nor foot activity nor exceptional driving.
Jun 9, 2015
These symptoms sound like those caused by tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS).
The tarsal tunnel is the canal-like compartment in the foot that is composed of part of the ankle bone and a band of ligaments that stretches across the foot. Inside the tarsal tunnel are the nerves, arteries, and tendons. The tibial nerve is one of the nerves in the tarsal tunnel; it provides sensation to the bottom of the foot. If this nerve is subject to compression, the resulting condition is called tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome may result from an injury, disease, or due to the natural shaping of the foot. Possible causes may include:
1- Having flat feet, resulting in a strain or compression on the tibial nerve
2- Swelling due to an ankle sprain. The swelling then compresses on the nerve
3- Diseases such as arthritis or diabetes which can cause swelling, thus resulting in nerve compression (unlikely at your age but should be taken into consideration)
4- An enlarged or abnormal structure, such as a varicose vein, ganglion cyst, swollen tendon, or bone spur, that might compress the nerve.
Symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) may include:
Shooting pain in the foot
Numbness and/or tingling
Burning sensation
In order to make a correct diagnosis of TTS, you need to get a proper physical examination, plus or minus imaging (mostly a simple x-ray). Other more specialized tests may be requested according to the case.
Possible treatment options include non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as Advil), or steroid injections into the nerves in the tarsal tunnel to relieve pressure and swelling. Orthosis (e.g., braces, splints, orthotic devices) may be recommended to reduce pressure on the foot and limit movement that could cause compression on the nerve.
The tarsal tunnel is the canal-like compartment in the foot that is composed of part of the ankle bone and a band of ligaments that stretches across the foot. Inside the tarsal tunnel are the nerves, arteries, and tendons. The tibial nerve is one of the nerves in the tarsal tunnel; it provides sensation to the bottom of the foot. If this nerve is subject to compression, the resulting condition is called tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome may result from an injury, disease, or due to the natural shaping of the foot. Possible causes may include:
1- Having flat feet, resulting in a strain or compression on the tibial nerve
2- Swelling due to an ankle sprain. The swelling then compresses on the nerve
3- Diseases such as arthritis or diabetes which can cause swelling, thus resulting in nerve compression (unlikely at your age but should be taken into consideration)
4- An enlarged or abnormal structure, such as a varicose vein, ganglion cyst, swollen tendon, or bone spur, that might compress the nerve.
Symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) may include:
Shooting pain in the foot
Numbness and/or tingling
Burning sensation
In order to make a correct diagnosis of TTS, you need to get a proper physical examination, plus or minus imaging (mostly a simple x-ray). Other more specialized tests may be requested according to the case.
Possible treatment options include non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as Advil), or steroid injections into the nerves in the tarsal tunnel to relieve pressure and swelling. Orthosis (e.g., braces, splints, orthotic devices) may be recommended to reduce pressure on the foot and limit movement that could cause compression on the nerve.
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