Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Tarsal tunnel syndrome, also known as TTS, is a disorder of the foot that parallels carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist, though the wrist condition is much more common. Despite being a relatively benign problem, TTS results in significant pain. The tarsal tunnel is a channel that runs between the medial malleolus, the bone that presents as a bump on the inside of the ankle, and the band of ligaments that stretches across the foot. The tarsal tunnel protects the tibial nerve, the nerve that provides sensation to the bottom of the foot. When the tibial nerve is compressed, the resulting pain and disability is referred to as tarsal tunnel syndrome. In many cases, the pain, burning, tingling and numbness resulting from tarsal tunnel syndrome can be successfully reduced and even eliminated by chiropractic care.
There are times when the TTS is so severe, however, that surgical intervention is necessary. In such cases, chiropractic care can be very helpful in the recovery process.
Chiropractic Care for TTS
The symptoms of TTS,which include pain, burning or tingling on the sole of the foot, relieved by rest and made worse by standing or walking, can frequently be alleviated by chiropractic treatment. Typically, the care prescribed at the onset of this ailment is a period of rest and elevation, usually about 2 weeks in duration.
Chiropractic care is holistic, aimed at helping the body to heal itself. Once inflammation decreases, chiropractors typically map out a regimen of stretching exercises designed to allow the tibial nerve to resume moving smoothly within the tarsal tunnel.
While the chiropractor will probably make some manual adjustments, both in the vertebrae and in the foot and ankle joints, in order to maintain general health and energy flow, attention will likely be focused on rehabilitative care, which may include:
- Ultrasound
- Moist heat
- Deep tissue massage
- Electrical stimulation
- Trigger point therapy
- Applied kinesiology
Because one of the underlying causes of tarsal tunnel syndrome is pronation due to flat feet, patients with this condition may be advised to have orthotics (customized supportive shoe inserts) manufactured for their shoes or to wear some type of ankle braces. One of these measures may make the patient much more comfortable, improve posture and balance and prevent a recurrence of the problem.
Advantages of Chiropractic Care for TTS
Though in some cases surgery may be unavoidable, where possible, chiropractic care for TTS offers a number of advantages. Benefits of chiropractic therapy include:
- More rapid symptom relief
- Absence of medication
- Non-invasive approach to healing
Clearly, it is preferable to be able to avoid prescribed medications with their temporary or long-term side effects and to avoid surgery with its prolonged and painful recovery period.Even if an operation is the only solution in a particular situation, however, chiropractic can be used to speed recovery and help prevent recurrence.