What symptom can be associated with Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

What symptom can be associated with Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

• A. Posterior calf weakness
• B. Mechanical ankle instability
• C. Vague burning pain to the medial ankle
• D. Pain on dorsiflexion

Answer: (C)

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome occurs due to compression of the tibial nerve as it passes through the tarsal tunnel, located on the medial side of the ankle. One of the hallmark symptoms of this condition is a vague burning pain that is typically experienced around the medial aspect of the ankle. This symptom arises due to nerve irritation and can sometimes radiate into the plantar surface of the foot. Patients often describe this pain as being diffuse rather than localized, and it may be accompanied by numbness or tingling in the distribution of the tibial nerve, which further supports the diagnosis. The quality of the pain—as vague and burning—is consistent with neuropathic pain, which is common in conditions involving nerve compression. The other options listed do not directly relate to Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. Weakness in the posterior calf usually indicates a muscle or nerve problem more proximal in the leg, mechanical ankle instability is often associated with ligamentous injury rather than nerve compression, and pain on dorsiflexion does not specifically indicate tarsal tunnel involvement but could indicate other issues such as impingement or lesion in other parts of the ankle complex.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome occurs due to compression of the tibial nerve as it passes through the tarsal tunnel, located on the medial side of the ankle. One of the hallmark symptoms of this condition is a vague burning pain that is typically experienced around the medial aspect of the ankle. This symptom arises due to nerve irritation and can sometimes radiate into the plantar surface of the foot.

Patients often describe this pain as being diffuse rather than localized, and it may be accompanied by numbness or tingling in the distribution of the tibial nerve, which further supports the diagnosis. The quality of the pain—as vague and burning—is consistent with neuropathic pain, which is common in conditions involving nerve compression.

The other options listed do not directly relate to Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. Weakness in the posterior calf usually indicates a muscle or nerve problem more proximal in the leg, mechanical ankle instability is often associated with ligamentous injury rather than nerve compression, and pain on dorsiflexion does not specifically indicate tarsal tunnel involvement but could indicate other issues such as impingement or lesion in other parts of the ankle complex.