When is cortisone injection recommended for tarsal tunnel syndrome?

Tarsal tunnel syndrome involves pressure or irritation affecting the posterior tibial nerve as it passes behind the inner ankle. Pain, tingling, burning, or altered feeling can travel into the sole or toes. Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory medicine placed near the irritated area; it does not remove every possible cause of nerve compression. The clinician first checks the diagnosis, skin condition, circulation, nerve function, and whether a mass, injury, footwear pressure, or foot mechanics may be contributing.

Discuss the injection after a focused examination and review of measures such as activity changes, supportive footwear, ankle support, physiotherapy, or treatment of an underlying contributor. Tell the clinician about diabetes, blood-thinning medicine, allergies, infection, and previous injections. Afterward, follow the advised activity limits and watch the injection site. Temporary soreness or a short-lived change in symptoms can occur, and an injection may not relieve symptoms if the main problem is fixed compression.

Seek prompt medical assessment for new or worsening weakness, difficulty moving the foot, spreading numbness, loss of balance, or severe pain after an injury. After an injection, contact a clinician urgently for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, fever, or rapidly worsening pain. These features need assessment rather than simply waiting for the injection to work.

Ask what is irritating the nerve, whether an injection is intended as a diagnostic aid or symptom treatment, what alternatives fit your findings, and how long to wait before reviewing the result.