There are four compartments in this region. In three of them, muscles are routed from the leg to the foot. In the fourth, the tibial nerve and the posterior tibial artery are surrounded by muscles. Along the top of these structures lies the laciniate ligament, which forms the roof of the four compartments. Therefore, there is virtually no room for expansion if any of these structures becomes enlarged or if a foreign object intrudes into the area.
Entrapment compresses the nerve, causing pain, burning and tingling on the sole of the foot.
Normally, this pain is relieved by rest and elevation or massage. Back to Top Causes Tarsal tunnel syndrome most commonly occurs in active adults, but also can occur in children. The burning or tingling sensation it causes is a function of the compressed tibial nerve trying to send signals between the foot and brain. An analogy can be made between the nerve and a garden hose. If a hose is drawn around a sharp corner, tension will be created at the point of the bend.