What is the Difference Between Plantar Fasciitis and Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

The key difference between plantar fasciitis and tarsal tunnel syndrome is that plantar fasciitis is a medical condition that results in the inflammation of the fibrous tissue called the plantar fascia, which lies along the bottom of the foot, while tarsal tunnel syndrome is a medical condition that results in the compression of the posterior tibial nerve as it travels through the tarsal tunnel.

Humans’ feet comprise 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles, and tendons. Approximately a person walks roughly 100000 miles in their lifetime. Therefore, one’s feet are constantly subjected to the risk of damage or injury, which leads to foot-related conditions. There is a wide variety of foot-related conditions like athlete’s foot, blisters, bunions, plantar fasciitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, gout, ingrown toenail, corns and calluses, stone bruises, Morton’s neuroma, and diabetic neuropathy. Plantar fasciitis and tarsal tunnel syndrome are two such foot-related medical conditions. They cause pain along the soles of the feet. However, they are different conditions with different causes and should be treated by certified podiatrists.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Plantar Fasciitis 
3. What is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
4. Similarities – Plantar Fasciitis and Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
5. Plantar Fasciitis vs. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Plantar Fasciitis vs. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis results in the inflammation of the fibrous tissue called the plantar fascia, which lies along the bottom of the foot. This fibrous tissue connects the heel bone to the toes. This condition is commonly observed in runners and people who are usually overweight. The symptoms of plantar fasciitis may include stabbing pain in the bottom of the foot near the heel, the pain getting worse with the first few steps after awakening, and the pain triggered by long periods of standing or getting up from sitting. Plantar fasciitis is caused by the repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia that irritates or inflames it. Moreover, risk factors for plantar fasciitis include age (between 40 to 60), certain types of exercises that place a lot of stress on the heel and attached tissue, foot mechanics (atypical pattern of walking), obesity, and occupation (factory workers, teachers, and others).

Plantar fasciitis is diagnosed through medical history, physical examinations, and imaging tests such as X-rays or MRIs. Treatment options for plantar fasciitis may include medication (ibuprofen and naproxen sodium), therapies (physical therapy, night splints, orthotics, walking boot, canes, or crutches), surgery and other procedures (injection, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, ultrasonic tissue repair, and surgery).

What is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) results from damaged tibial nerves due to compression. This compression starts when the tibial nerve runs through the tarsal tunnel, a passage of bones and ligaments in the ankle. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is due to damage to the tibial nerve by flat feet, high arches, injuries like an ankle sprain or fracture, irregular growths like ganglion cysts, bone spurs or varicose veins, lipoma or tumor near the tibial nerve, body-wide conditions such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, or arthritis. The symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome may include pain in the inside of the ankle or the bottom of the feet, burning or tingling sensations, numbness, and weakness in foot muscles. Moreover, the risk factors for tarsal tunnel syndrome include having varicose veins, stress and inflammation from a poorly treated ankle injury, complications from osteoarthritis and diabetes, and pronation and other arch abnormalities.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be diagnosed through physical examination, Tinel’s test, electromyogram (EMG), and MRI. Furthermore, tarsal tunnel syndrome is treated by resting, keeping ice, compression, and elevation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, non-surgical treatments like braces, casts or splints, orthotics, physical therapy, steroid injections, and surgery to release tibial nerve or widen tarsal tunnel.

What are the Similarities Between Plantar Fasciitis and Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

• Plantar fasciitis and tarsal tunnel syndrome are two foot-related medical conditions.
• Both conditions can cause pain along the foot.
• Certified podiatrists should treat these conditions.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
• The treatment options for both conditions include pain management, therapies, and surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Plantar Fasciitis and Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

Plantar fasciitis is a medical condition that results in the inflammation of the plantar fascia, which lies along the bottom of the foot. At the same time, tarsal tunnel syndrome is a medical condition that results in the compression of the posterior tibial nerve as it travels through the tarsal tunnel. Thus, this is the key difference between plantar fasciitis and tarsal tunnel syndrome. Furthermore, plantar fasciitis is caused by the repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia that irritates or inflames it. On the other hand, tarsal tunnel syndrome is caused by damage to the tibial nerve through flat feet, high arches, injuries like an ankle sprain or fracture, irregular growths like ganglion cysts, bone spurs or varicose veins, lipoma or tumor near the tibial nerve, body-wide conditions such as hypothyroidism, diabetes or arthritis.

The infographic below presents the differences between plantar fasciitis and tarsal tunnel syndrome in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Plantar Fasciitis vs. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Plantar fasciitis and tarsal tunnel syndrome are two foot-related medical conditions with different causes. Plantar fasciitis is due to the inflammation of the fibrous tissue called the plantar fascia, while tarsal tunnel syndrome is due to a damaged tibial nerve by compression. So, this summarizes the difference between plantar fasciitis and tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Reference:

1. “Plantar Fasciitis.” NHS Choices.
2. “Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Fasciaplantar-lateral” By Rlgdias – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Tarsal Tunnel” By Scientific Animations  (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia