Tarsal Tunnel syndrome Surgery

Posted , 6 users are following.

Hi,  I have been dealing with foot pain for several years.  It started with Morton's neuroma on the ball of both feet.  This was treated with Alcohol injections and orthotics.  However in the last two years my feet have slowly been going numb.  I have about 25% feeling in both feet not to mention constant burning and tingling which worsens at night.  I don't want my feet touched even by the sheets in bed!  I went to a new Dr. who sent me to a neurologist.  He conducted the nerve study and seemed to think I had Tarsal Tunnel.  I met with my podiatrist again and he suggested Cortisone shots in both ankles.  He said if the shots temporarily alleviated the tingling  then I probably had TTS.  The first shot lasted about 2.5 months.  I went in again to discuss my options and he suggested the release surgery.  I am scheduled for surgery on my left Feb. 21.  He will not do both feet at once.  So my question is this.... I have read nothing but bad results to this surgery.  I want to know if there is anyone out there with positive results.  It seems only the negative results get posted!  Please let me know.  I am a First grade teacher and getting very nervous about this surgery and the recovery!!

2 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Kim,

    I had my first Tarsal Tunnel decompression surgery last year in May it was a bad experience and I think the outcome would of been much better if I had gone with another doctor. I found another surgeon and had my other foot done 5 weeks ago and the doctor was great the incision was only 1 inch compared to the horrible scar the other doctor left on my first foot. I have so much scar tissue and stiffness that I have to go back next month and do the surgery again. I also had Mortons neuroma in both feet she went in and decompressed those nerves too. I have not seen any improvement in my numbness but I have been told it could take up to 12-15 months to regenerate the nerves. I had symptoms for 2 years before I decided to get the surgery. I was told the success rate is 50/50 but I only found that out until I had the surgery done. I had no other option because I was told the longer you have TTS and more likely there will be permanent nerve damage. I have been very happy with my second surgeon she is located in Houston Tx. I was nervous about doing the surgery too but other doctors that I asked their opinion said I should do it. I hope I helped you and good luck! 

    • Posted

      Thank you so much for your response!  My surgeon has done lots of these type surgeries so I hope he is good!  How quickly were you up and about after your successful surgery?  I too have been told that the nerve damage takes a lot of time to regenerate.  But do you still have the tingling/burning sensation now after the surgery?
    • Posted

      Hi Karen,

      Just had the Tarsal Tunnel Release done on my right foot last Wednesday.  I have spent 5 days now icing and keeping my foot above my heart.  Went back to the Dr. to have the bandages removed.  (I can shower now!!) He said it looked great.  No swelling.  He also said that my nerve was inflamed to the width of a pencil!  I don't have any of the burning and tingling in that foot anymore.  Still a lot of numbness which may or may not go away.   Still wants me to wear the boot for several weeks but gave me a driving boot as well.  I rented the knee scooter so I can go back to work as a teacher.  So far  I am pleased with the surgery.  I was nervous when he showed me how big the incision would be but so far so good!

  • Posted

    Hi Kim! 

    I feel for you! I have TTS in both feet and neromas in both feet too! Since May of 2016 I have had a total of 4 surgical procedures. My very last one was about a month ago. I had such bad scare tissue from the first surgery that my current surgeon wanted to go back and remove the scar tissue to help improve the results and so I would have more mobility in that foot. I am worse after the surgery now my heel is very numb. I addressed this with my surgeon and she told me it would take time to regenerate the nerves and it would get better. I have put my life on hold for the last year I had to close my business because I can’t stand for long periods of time. How are you doing? Did you have the surgery ? Have you experience numbness like myself?  I hope you are doing better! 

    Karen 

  • Posted

    How are you? I been suffering from TTS since october 2016. Surgery was done jan 2018. Agyer the surgery my symptoms instantly got worse. Numb heel. Extreme cramping. Feeling as if I am standing on rocks. I'm going through hell. I still have pins and needles. Burning. I developed an extreme sensitivity to touch. Does anyone else have this as a result of tts? So far I have had lidocaine knjectings in my arch. Didnt help at all. I have had 2 lumbar sympathetic nerve blocks because dr think I probably developed RSD. those nerve blocks disnt help at all. I cant even walk through the mall without having to sit. I need to kneel on a chair just to cook. I do not trust my dr one bit. I will be seeing another. My dr tells me that there is nothing else he can do for me being that he feels he released the nerve. Meds havent helped. Elevating my foot relives most of my pain. Any suggestions.?

  • Posted

    HI, I had my tarsal released ten years ago and i havent had any problems with that area since. The shot that they gave you put me into instant agony so my surgery was a week later. I was in a cast for three weeks and after i just have the scar and no pain in that area. Big relief. Good luck on your surgery!

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