Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Support Group

I noticed the numbness in my big toe of my right foot last summer but didn't pay any attention to it.. I figured it was my shoes, or my posture at my desk, etc. I had my first pain in August that woke me up during the night but I was at the Bristol race and figured that I overdid it. The numbness spread to the next two toes and my forefoot. I had a dull pain and then the dreaded burning sensation and sharp pains started. My first doctor's appointment was in October. As of today in April, the numbness is in 4.5 toes (yes, half of my pinky toe), my forefoot, and my heel. I have dull pain and burning all the time and also some pain where the nerve is below the inside ankle. The sharp pains come and go with no reason. All of these symptoms are on the bottom of the foot.

I have been for x-rays on my lower back, MRI, and nerve conduction studies. The NCS showed a pinched nerve in my lower back (no pain there) and I started physical therapy and had a epidural injection in my spine. After months of no relief and no sleep due to pain, my orthopedic spine specialist decided maybe it was a foot problem after all. I received a shot in the ankle on Valentine's Day and made an appointment with a podiatrist. I am now waiting for my orthodics to come in. She made the diagnosis of TTS. The shot seemed to help tremendously for about six weeks but now I have noticed more pain.

I have been on Lyrica (no help), Amitriptyline (no help), Ultram, Pepper cream rub for foot, Neuropathy-KT Gaba gel rub, Gabapentin, and Lortab.

I am currently taking 3600 of Gabapentin daily and take Lortab as needed. None of the creams seemed to help. Oh........and I haven't been able to wear any of my shoes for months. I am wearing a pair of mans 9.5 Rockport tennis shoes daily.

I have had natural child birth and a kidney stone in the past, but nothing compares to this relentless pain day and night. I am at my wits end with pain, lack of sleep, empty life, and ugly black shoes.

Someone........please tell me it gets better! Anything else that I can try?

Hello fellow suffer. . .

I sincerely wish I could give you better news, but for me my condition is ongoing and relentless

I now have been living with TTS for 3 years, the last time I had full feeling in my feet was january of 2008. I have some feeling in my toes/soles of my feet but mostly not. I take Lyrica 200mg twice daily and cymbalta 30-60 mg. I also use dynasplints.

I have not had any surgery for this condition and I don't think I ever will. some days are better than others. I am still able to work, alhthough I will have to find something where I am not on my feet 12 hours a day

Also I will be going for custum orthotics ~ I just need to come up with the money.

I got the short end of the stick.. who knows when I would have developed this syndrome.. The joy in my 3 year old son's laughter/smile is what gets me through the day..

keep me upated ~ stay strong and find a good podiatrist

sincerely'

onepugluvr

Hi! Thank you for replying.

I am not sure if I can stand 2.5 more years of this! I forgot to post that I tried Cymbalta also. I guess I can say some days are better than others. If I am able to sleep, then I am happy. If I can make it through the day without the sharp pains and burning sensation then that is a good day.

I am still working also. I kinda figure that my foot will hurt whether I am at work or at home, so I may as well limp in to work. My custom orthodics should be ready in a week or two. My podiatrist is positive that this will help some. We will see!

orthotics don't work for tarsal tunnel in MY past experiences. I"ve wasted prol 900 dollars on orthotics overs the years and this is why they don't work. Tarsal tunnel is a compacted nerve that a bone or legament in your foot has shifted and is causing great pain. I"ve tryed everything and was told that surgery wouldn't really help. He's a well known nerologist whom diagnosed me with this condition, and i believe when he says surgery won't help. It's a painful road... but i pray that orthoctics work and you are a lucky one. Good luck. Ask me anything if you need anything.

I know most of you are against surgery, but you may want to consider contacting Dr Stephen Barrett of Barrett Foot and Ankle in Arizona to look at your case. He is AMAZING!!! I'm from Chicago and have flown out there 3 times now. At the very least, contact him and get his opinion on what you need. Surgery can and does work depening on what is causing your TTS. They can not figure out what is causing me to have TTS in both feet. I definitely wonder if it's really TTS or something else. I've never had any numbness or burning or tingling just insane PAIN in the entire bottom of both feet (all but the toes are involved).

aakers did you say you take 3600mg of Gabapentin daily??? That is crazy. I'm on 1200mg after surgery and can barely tolerate it. I've read research articles that suggest doses over 1800mg have not been shown to be more effective. Do you have side effects on 3600mg? I'm dizzy and everything is hazy. Kinda loopy all day with a slow reaction time.

Where does everyone live? I'd love to meet up with someone in person to support one another. I'm in Chicago

I seem to tolerate the 3600 just fine. I just wished that it took care of more if the pain. I continue to take Lortab once it is unbearable. The orthodics did not help and really hurt my foot.

I saw another neurologist in June. He has referred me to UVA medical center. He does not believe that it is TTS. The appointment is not for months so I am going to see a pain management doctor in the meantime. The numbness has spread to the inside of the ankle, low next to the heel. I am still very frustrated. I feel like I am getting dropped in the system. Anyway, I will keep you updated.

UVA has finally positively diagnosed it. I am waiting on a surgeon now. It is the distal tibial nerve. I have started a new medicine called Nucynta that has seemed to help also.

The neurologist at UVA said surgery was the only option with my foot.