Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome pinched foot nerve

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a nerve being squeezed in a tight space — the foot-and-ankle counterpart to carpal tunnel in the wrist. The tarsal tunnel is a narrow passageway behind the bony bump on the inside of your ankle (the medial malleolus), roofed by a band of tissue called the flexor retinaculum. The posterior tibial nerve runs through this tunnel and then branches to supply sensation to the sole of your foot and toes. When anything crowds that space, the nerve gets pinched and complains.\n\nUnlike a simple ache, the symptoms are neurologic: burning, tingling, electric or shock-like pain, and numbness on the bottom of the foot — often worse with standing and activity, and sometimes worse at night. Because the nerve splits into branches, symptoms can be patchy and confusing, which is exactly why a careful exam matters. Conditions like plantar fasciitis, a stress fracture, or a low-back nerve problem can feel similar, so part of our job is telling them apart.\n\nMost patients improve with conservative care started early — bracing or orthotics to take pressure off the nerve, nerve-glide and stretching therapy, anti-inflammatories, and addressing the underlying driver. Below we walk through the anatomy, the symptoms and causes we see most, how we pin down the diagnosis, and the full range of treatment options from simplest to most involved.

You want answers, fast — and we’re built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.

Here’s what your initial visit for tarsal tunnel syndrome typically looks like:

• Detailed history — when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you’ve already tried
• Focused exam of the foot & ankle — range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
• On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
• A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English

Schedule your evaluation with a trusted Greater Los Angeles orthopedic expert today.

At LAOSS, our foot & ankle specialists combine advanced surgical expertise with a patient-first approach. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to reconstruction, fracture care, and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. Trusted across Los Angeles, our team is dedicated to restoring mobility, relieving pain, and helping you return to the activities you love.

Burning, tingling foot pain is exhausting — and easy to chase down the wrong path when it gets blamed on plantar fasciitis or "just getting older." At LAOSS, our board-certified foot & ankle specialists know tarsal tunnel syndrome can mimic several other problems, so we take the time to find the real source before treating it. With same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles–area offices and on-site imaging, you won't wait weeks for an answer.\n\nWe believe in conservative-first care. For most patients, the right combination of orthotics, nerve-focused therapy, anti-inflammatories, and addressing the underlying cause quiets the nerve without surgery. When a clear structural cause is crowding the nerve or symptoms won't let up, our surgeons perform tarsal tunnel release themselves and walk you through every step of recovery. Either way, you'll leave your first visit with a clear diagnosis and a plan in plain English.