Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Hi Valotte my warrior. ??

Hope this message greets you well as can be expected under the circumstances.x

My GP is getting me a made-to-measure wheelchair to help with my independent. I also have a walking frame now which helps me get around the house and its got a bag so i can carry things. BIG help. I also have appointment with the NHS podiatry to see if they can help with my gait.

My pain is under better control as long as i am not on my feet to long. ( Its finding how much i can do with out swelling and pain thats difficult ) Driving me mad resting in bed. I haven't had any severe sharp stabbing pains so far just tiny ones.

I have so many different appointments 4 different areas off my legs feet and ankles I'm getting a little confused lol

Love music! i am a member of my local radio station and my daughter is a radio presenter. I fill in when needed but do mainly promotion work. Born in the 60is so i love rock music love pink Floyd... led Zeppelin. Go to music festivals which are my holidays.

Like to here you meditate. I am a old hippie peace freak... very much into Buddhism especially the spiritual side of it. I am a artist and use my spirtual side in my paintings.

Do you use twitter?

Have a few friends from USA that follow me on Twitter and FB

Keep me posted how your getting on. Brings back memories of my youth pen pals ??

Peace love and light to you always xxx

How ironic!  I was traveling to get a wheelchair for after surgery from my dad today.  I cannot stand on my feet for very long either.  Heat seems to help my foot relax in the evening.  I've read that heat helps nerve pain, rather than ice.  Not much of a tea drinker, but am going to try as I have some herbs in my garden- chamomille, lemon balm, bee balm, and lavendar. 

I understand how the appointments can get overwhelming.  there's been times this last 2 years that I've just needed a break from doctors and searching for the reason for my pain.

I was also born in the 60's!  Led Zepplin is my number 1 favorite band of all time. 

i don't have twitter, but do have facebook.  I do hope things are good for you today

Hi ya!

I have sent private message to you on here of my my face book details

wow zep fan! you rock ??

Hi!  I am new on this site and read your discussion in this forum.  I was recently diagnosed with a tibial focal neuropathy and am wondering if it is TTS.  My pain started a few years ago as ball of foot pain.  I have been diagnosed with a few different things, which is very confusing as the diagnosis keeps changing.  I went to a podiatrist when my pain started and was told that it was from tight calf muscles.  I was given exercises to do and had custom inserts made.  Sometimes the exercises helped with the pain, but the inserts definitely made my feet worse.  I stopped wearing them, went back to my PCP and was told to go to PT for a back issue as my hip was bothering me also.  PT did not help.  I went to an Orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed me with Morton's foot, gave me antiinflammatories and inserts to wear.  This helped the bottom of my feet, but I developed numbness on top of my feet into my ankles.  The Ortho then sent me for an MRI and Nerve Conduction tests.  The MRI showed some swelling in the metatarsal area, but that's about it.  The nerve test was apparently inconclusive so he sent me to a Neurologist.  The neurologist checked me and said that it seemed like a neuropathy, but that I had reflexes in places that people with neuropathy usually do not have so he had the nerve conduction tests repeated.  Everything was within normal limits except for the tibial nerves.  I cannot go back to see him until March as that is his first available appt.  My current pain is in the bottom of my feet, they feel swollen and sore, although they do not look swollen.  The tops of my feet are numb and go into my ankles.  I have some arch pain in both feet.  Do these sound like any of your symptoms?  I have pain an numbness everyday and it is so hard to get through the days as I am a very active person and can't stand that I have to sit so much.  I just don't know where to turn now.  I have read up on TTS and it kinda sounds like my symptoms.  It seems like no one really understands. I know this post is a few months old.  How are you feeling?

Hello there I'm new to the site, I've been prescribed amatriptyline 10mg for a burning/numbing/ disabling pain in both my feet I've had lots of blood tests an X-ray plus recently a nerve conduction test, for a possible tarsal tunnel diagnosis, witch I am awaiting results, The pain is worse when I'm at work placing pressure on my feet!! It's almost disabling very scary!! I'm scared I won't be able to work anymore! And these tablets are not exactly making me feel great! I'm worried for my future, and not sure weather to carry on with the amitriptyline or not. Will it be a cure or just a pain reliever!!! So Will I end up on it forever, if no cure is found for my burning feet, would like to talk to someone who has same problems?! Thank you :-)

Hello There

I'm not sure if you received my post. I dont know very well how this website works. I am pasting it below to you. I would like to share my experience and try to help.

Hello everybody

I am also a TTS sufferer. I very sad at the moment because I see that this seems to be a permanent problem. My life is very limited now. I cannot walk much, otherwise the pain flares and spread up my leg. I have been suffering from TTS since 2014. I used to do lots of high impact exercise and after taking part on an obstacle course the pain started and it is still with me. I feel the burning sensation, the stabbing, electricity sensation that comes and goes. The pain in the inner side of the ankles (yes, TTS on both feet!) is always there... sometimes better, sometimes worse. When I lie in bed, if I lie the side of my tarsal tunnel on a pillow, it hurts. I have gone through nerve conduction studies, MRI, 4 ultrasounds and all seems normal inside the feet. I think this is a good thing. I also spent a long time walking with the help of an air cast boot (on and off during the day) and I usually walk with the help of one crutch. I had been to see many doctors. With the last one I had a steroid injection that did not really help. I am on amitriptyline 20gr (an increase from 10gr) and my GP may increase it a bit. I am going to start physio (again) soon. The physio I had so far was rubbish.

I live on my own and I have to do everything. But thank God with the help of online shopping I could rest more. 

This is my history in short. I read your posts and I really feel for all of us. It was good for me to read your positive words as well. Thanks for sharing! I hope to hear from your experiences soon and hear your suggestions for treatment of pain management.

Lots of love to all!

Cris

Oh I forgot to say. I had terrible burning feet before. The soles of the feet. I applied ice twice a day for ages: soles, ankles and inner side of the legs where the posterior tibialis tendon is. The burning improved a lot. I also reduced walking (use my bike to go around but I don't cycle a lot either). I changed my life completely in order to manage the pain.

I know what you mean about feeling a disabling pain. I have the same feeling. Amitriptyline is not a cure. It is a pain management medication. I am not sure if there is a cure for TTS. I think it is important to try to force less, avoiding too much walking and being on your feet. 

We need to be strong and try to do the best we can to manage this condition. I am here for you if you want to talk.

Cris

Hello! Nice to hear from you. My tests came all fine too. Nothing found ... even the nerve conduction studies. But I have the symptoms of TTS. I felt frustrated at the beginning ... but then I thought ... if it all looks fine, I think it is a good thing. Of course, there is an inflammation there that the tests could not detect, so I have adjusted my lifestyle so I try don't damage it any further. I have been thinking these last days and I want to believe that I can do something to get over this. I have read about massage, physio, homeopathy and supplements.

My pain is actually in the tunnel area, sides and sole of both feet. I have good and bad days, but when it is a bad day I try to rest the best I can. Ice packs help quite a lot. 

How long have you had these symptoms for? Do you have an idea of what could have triggered it?

Cris

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Hello, I have no idea what caused it, im an engineer so a lot of standing on the spot possibly caused it for me, about 4/5 years ago it was just heel pain and that was it,,, tried new insoles etc nothing helped and it's just got worse and worse ever since now can't stand on the spot for no longer than 20 mins standing up is just not fun for me or wearing shoes etc I get burning in soles of feet and toes!!! A disabling pain genes can't stand for long also weakness comes with that also!!! And all the tests clear so far!!!! So frustrating my jobs getting harder and harder to handle!!!! Even though I've been given a seat!!! When I'm sat down I still get the burning, and wearing safety boots really does not help as you can imagine!!! Do you think it's nerve problems is MRI enough to show damages in the nerves?

Hello. I read that MRI would show if there are cysts, lumps, ganglions in the area. But the nerve conduction studies is the test that would diagnose. I also read that nerve conduction studies not always show the problem.

I was thinking, don't you think you might have plantar fasciitis? Do you also feel the electric shock sensation sometimes? I feel burning feet, tingling, electric shocks and stabbing pain.

To take out the pressure from my feet I use one crutch. But I don't use it all the time. I use it to get to the office or if I have to go out to do something like food shopping, quick/short journey to the shopping centre. I try to buy everything online and I use my bike quite a lot. Have you thought of using crutches from time to time, maybe at work? It helps me a lot.

I'm also focusing on food and supplements at the moment. I read that ruta graveoleans and hypericum are good for nerves. These are homoeopathic remedies. As you can see I'm trying everything. I have read quite a lot about the condition.

Shoes... I have a customised orthotics made for me. Then I put another insole on top to make it softer. It helps me a lot.

Massage, ice also helps. I checked some youtube videos on trigger point massage, neuromuscular massage and I'm doing a bit of it myself.

I am starting my physio next week. Have you tried physiotherapy?

Cris

I do get pain along the plantar fascia but also burning in the toes and souls of feet!!! But I have had ultra sound for pf and nothing was found and MRI results also said pf was normal thickness etc!!!

Yes I gave the custom orthotics ago but unfortunately didn't help me, tried then for 3 4 months, but just made the burning a lotworse!!! And didn't leave much room in my shoes for my feet!!! I don't know what's wrong!!! Unfortunately nor do the doctors ATM !! Good luck with the physiotherapist!!! I did ask doctor for acupuncture but he said not to go down that route as yet!

Thank you!

Yes, I think it is wise not to do acupuncture as yet. I read that plantar fasciitis is quite difficult to detect in a test. The annoying thing is that we have the pain but do not have a final diagnose based on the tests we go through. If I were you I would not discard the possibility of plantar fasciitis. 

Orthotics does not always have good outcomes for everybody who wears them, so I heard. I am still using a temporary custom orthotics that I use with a gel insole on top to make it soft and comfy. I am a bit concern to pay £140 for a permanent one. My friend who suffers from plantar fasciitis have got a pair and it works for him.

I did deep tissue massage and trigger point massage as I mentioned in my last e-mail. I feel now a bit more sore on the right foot (the worse one). Mmmm... not sure anymore.

Are you thinking maybe your pain could possibly be plantar fascia also?!! I did ask the doctor do you think it's pf but he was sure it wasn't after the ultra sound, He was heading more towards neuropathy before the nerve conduction came back fine?! Now he's really not sure!!!! I have tried all the rolling pin and ice bottles and all the pf stuff along time ago but just hert more, like you've recently found out lol

Oh ... I have come across so many doctors (I mean, specialists, consultants) that seem completely lost as no evidence is shown on the tests. I look normal inside... But I'm far from feeling normal. 

I'm not sure if I have plantar fasciitis.  I thought I had it in the past when I used to feel more burning in the soles of my feet.  Now not so much and not so often, but I do feel this sometimes. I have three friends that I know to have had/have plantar fasciitis. My friend who got well with the orthotics, still suffers from this condition and he is on his 3rd to 4th year. The other one is a runner and suffered from PF for at least 4 years and just recently he got better. I'm not sure about how he feels ATM as we have not been in touch for a while. It takes time. I think physio is important. Ah! My mum also hs PF. She has a burning feet sensation. She is 80 and does the physio at home herself: ice, ball rolling... Try frozen peas packs. It is practical and can be re-used.

I think neuropathy might also be possible. Do you feel the pain of TTS? Electric shock, stabbing, tingling type of pain?

It is important to read a lot about the different possible diagnosis: PF, TTS... I learned a lot reading about it and can ask more questions to doctors. And I learned more with my reading than with the doctors. 

yes, not all these physio exercises are suitable for everyone. I think that if hurts, we need either stop doing the exercise or reducing it. Oh... not an easy thing to figure out is it?! We are the ones who really know how this feels. ha ha 

I feel your pain.  My neurologist asked me if I wanted to take something, but I am hesitent until they can tell me exactly what the problem is.  I do not get shooting or stabbing electrical pain in my feet, they are just numb and have very little strength.  By the end of the day, my ankles are very sore.  I mostly have pain when I'm standing with bare feet (especially in the shower), when I drive, if I try to walk to far and after I've been sitting on my recliner.   I tried a cream for my feet when they burn, it's called Magnalife, you can buy it at pretty much any drugstore.  That helped a bit.  My feet only burn when they get very hot.  I think it's because my feet have become so sensitive.  Maybe try that?  It's not expensive.  I've just been taking Advil for pain right now.  I have an appointment next month with my neurologist to go over my last nerve conduction test results.  If he can't give me any new information, I'm going to try a podiatrist.  I was told by an orthopedic doctor that I had Morton's Foot.  But after receiving a bad Nerve test result, he told me to stop treatment for that and sent me to a neurologist.  This is so frustrating!  I've noticed that my leg muscles are tight so I might try some PT as well. It is very scarry.  I'm afraid of waking up one day and not being able to walk.  I'll keep you posted with any new information I may get.  

Hi Lisa. I know how you feel. But we need to keep trying...

I have been seeing a foot an ankle specialist. I have been to a podiatrist surgeon too. Did you try to do stretching exercises for your legs?

I will have a look at this Magnalife. I tried Deepheat, Ibuprofen cremes, Voltarol, Balmosa. I liked more Voltarol 12 hours but I feel that I cannot use it for very long time. Then I stop for months and start using it again. Whether this is right or wrong I don't know.

Same here Lisa. I'm so busy... I need to be more consistent with stretching and some physio exercises. I think I have TTS. As I said above, my tests results came all normal but I have the TTS pain. I'm going back to see my consultant this month. Now I have more pain on my right foot after having steroids injection. It feels strange too. I will ask for an ultrasound and see what he says. Problems in our feet...Recovery is not easy, is it?

No, it is definitely not easy.  I am hoping that my neurologist will follow up with more testing after my March visit.  It sounds like Ultrasound is a good test to confirm TTS.  What is so frustrating is that I will have one or two "good" days, and then a really bad one.  The footwear I have on seems to affect how my feet/legs feel too.  I am trying a new insert that my chiropractor recommended.  They are called Superfeet.  I got them from Amazon.  I will let you know if they help at all.  I'll pretty much try anything at this point.  Good luch at your appointment!  I hope they help you soon.

Hello Lisa,  Over a 4 year period I have had two Morton's Neuroma surgeries as well a removal of a bursa on the bottom of the foot.  All done on the left foot.

The first was done by a Podiatrist for the removal of the neuroma.  Within 2 months after this surgery I had terrible nerve pain at night that would often trigger restless leg syndrome.  I concluded my mistake was in going to a Podiatrist,  I made an appointment with an Orthopedic Surgeon.  My to my surprise the new MRI showed a large Mortons Neuroma as well as a bursa.  We scheduled surgery for the removal of both.  One year later I still have constant stabbing nerve pain......only when I lie down......then it starts.  This week alone I have had 4 sleepless nights, the only way to get relief is to get up and walk around.  The Surgeon stated he can do no more for me.  I have tried Neurontin 600mg 3 x a day,  I am unable to continue as it has not alleviated the pain.  I want to say that this pain does not interfere with my day life,  I can walk, walk, garden,cook, clean be up all day long, the minute I lie down it starts,  so you can understand how sleep deprived I am.  Not every night, some nights it doesn't start up at all, I can assure you there is no reason whatsoever what might be a trigger.  Wearing flats, tennis shoes, heels, square, pointed,round toe shoes is not a trigger,  for example attending a wedding in heels may not cause it to start up.  I think these surgeries are a roll the dice and hope for the best.  I simply don't know what to do or who to see.  This is my story and if for nothing at least all of you reading this will know you are not alone without answers.

I am so sorry to hear your story.  I had an MRI done on my left foot only and some swelling was noted between the first and second metatarsal.  No neuroma.  It is very frustrating as you don't know who to turn to next.  Before my second nerve conduction test, I was told by my PCP and Neurologist to make an appointment for one year.  Really?  After I got the results from my second nerve test, the Neurologist's office called as asked if I wanted to make an appt to go over the results with the doctor.  Um, yes, duh.  The first appt available was for 5 months later.  He had said to call him if anything changes and they could look into it further.  I really don't think they know what is going on.  I know that tibial neuropathy is most likely TTS, I need to confirm that with him.  I have noticed that my leg muscles are very tight and that might be contributing to my pain issues.  I am going to try soaking in epsom salts and stretching to see if that helps.  The doctors sure are doing anything for me.  The neurologist asked if I wanted medication to help with the pain, but I declined.  My pain is not the shooting, stabbing pain you usually get from nerve problems.  I had a herniated disc in my neck a few years ago and had nerve pain to my hand from that and this doesn't feel anything like that so I don't know.  My pain feels more like tightness.  Sometimes it is only in my feet, sometimes it travels up both sides of my lower leg, almost feels like a pulled or strained muscle.  My pains are in areas that are not supplied by the tibial nerve.  All other nerves tested within normal limits.  This is so frustrating!  Have you had your lower back checked?  Maybe somethng is pressing into your sciatic nerve?  Do you have tight muscles?  I know a tight piriformis muscle can compress the sciatic nerve.  It's just odd that you only have the pain when laying down.  Maybe try a good chiropractor.  I went a few weeks ago and it seemed to help for a few days.  Still had the pain, but not as bad.  

I had nerve conduction studies (NCS). They will stick electrode patches on your skin (for tarsal tunnel (TT), the patches would be placed around the ankle area where the tunnel is) to measure how the nerve conduct the electrical impulse. My results came normal but I still have the TT syndrome symptoms. I read that NCS sometimes is not good enough to diagnose this condition. It is better to have a diagnostic injection (injection of an anaesthetic in the area) and then you write a pain diary describing the pain day-by-day, so you can discuss this with your consultant. 

Do you apply ice? 

Cris

Hi Cris

Thank you for your reply my gp has dismissed even letting me have an MRI scan. I think I'm going to insist she sends me to see a consultant for my problem as I find it so debilitating. How is your pain I have found wearing Birkenstocks has helped as my Arch has dropped too

Lesley x

[color=#2C221E]Hello Lesley[/color][color=#2C221E] [/color][color=#2C221E]I don’t know if you have access to previous messages. Have a look. There is quite a lot of information that our forum friends shared.[/color][color=#2C221E] [/color][color=#2C221E]My pain now is like electric shock, shooting, stabbing pain, and sometimes tingling, burning… I had terrible burning feet before. The soles of the feet. I applied ice twice a day for ages: soles, ankles and inner side of the legs where the posterior tibialis tendon is. The burning improved a lot. I also reduced walking (use my bike to go around but I don't cycle a lot either). I changed my life completely in order to manage the pain.[/color][color=#2C221E] [/color][color=#2C221E]I read that MRI would show if there are cysts, lumps, ganglions in the area. But the nerve conduction studies is the test that would diagnose TTS (tarsal tunnel syndrome). I also read that nerve conduction studies not always show the problem. I have gone through nerve conduction studies, MRI, 5 ultrasounds and all seems normal inside the feet. It is frustrating as the pain is still there and it is difficult to see a clear picture of what is happening with me. [/color][color=#2C221E] [/color][color=#2C221E]To take out the pressure from my feet I use crutches. But I don't use it all the time. I use it to get to the office or if I have to go out to do something like food shopping, quick/short journey to the shopping centre. I try to buy everything online and I use my bike quite a lot.[/color][color=#2C221E] [/color][color=#2C221E]Shoes... I have a customised orthotics made for me. Then I put another insole on top to make it softer. It helps me a lot.[/color][color=#2C221E] [/color][color=#2C221E]Massage, ice also helps. I am on amitriptyline 30mg, I feel that it is helping to decrease the pain on my left foot (my right foot is worse that the left. At the beginning, it was the opposite).[/color][color=#2C221E] [/color][color=#2C221E]I also spent a long time walking with the help of an air cast boot (on and off during the day) in 2015 and I used to walk with the help of one crutch. But now after that steroids injection (October/16), the pain on the right foot got worse and I am back wearing the aircast boot and walking with two crutches. I feel an improvement already. Air cast boots are great![/color][color=#2C221E] [/color][color=#2C221E]This is my story told shortly. I think you need to see a foot and ankle specialist as soon as possible. GPs are not the ones to treat such problems. If your arches are falling, this is serious. I think you need to have custom orthotics inside your shoes. Falling arches are more linked to posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction. For that MRI and ultrasound will be the tests that could show any anomalies. I’d also advise you to look up online the NHS foot and ankle consultants in your region. Read about them, and see which one has more experience, knowledge, about the matter.  You need a good consultant. And you can ask to see a certain consultant on the NHS. I live in Brighton and Steve Bengall and Natasha Houssein are good consultants.[/color][color=#2C221E] [/color][color=#2C221E]Hope you get it sorted soon.

Let me know if I can help with anything

Cris[/color]

Hey there! I hope you're well and healthy. I was just reading through this hoping to get some sense of shared experience.. May I ask what you eventually found of your symptoms? Ever reached a diagnosis?

Sending love