Tarsal Tunnel

[Mark in VA]

It's heartbreaking to read some of the stories on this forum. My situation is not as bad but I am curious where to go from here.

For the last several years I had sporadic numbness in my feet after exercise. Being a guy I tended to ignore it, but eventually I saw a podiatrist when it became less numbing and more burning. I had varicose veins on the same leg, so I pointed this out. The podiatrist was glad I did because he wasn't looking for it. He also told me I had vein disease. I subsequently saw a vein specialist and a neurologist. The neurologist confirmed I had tarsal tunnel and some neuropathies. The vein specialist confirmed with sonograms that I had varicose veins in both legs, although they were only visible on my right leg and most of my symptoms were in my right foot.

Over the summer I had to vein surgeries on my right leg. The first was a laser treatment and a vein going down the inside of my thigh was cauterized. Later, I had the surface varicose veins removed as well with another laser procedure. I get pain in my foot less now and it is easier to deal with, but the tarsal tunnel has not gone away.

The vein specialist would like to do the same to my left leg. It might help or it might not but based on the right leg it won't be a cure.

I'd like to be able to run again, but running puts pressure on the foot and contributed to the problem in the first place. Failing that I would simply like my feet to feel normal, i.e. I can walk ALL the time without feeling any numbness whatsoever. Maybe that is too much to ask. I am 52 and quite physically active.

The question is where to go from here. I read that tarsal tunnel surgery has a poor success rate and often makes things worse. So I am reluctant to go that route, unless I had a surgeon with a great success rate. I like in the DC area if anyone can recommend someone with these qualifications. It's also hard to know where the root problem is. Is it veins, a crushed nerve, is it a condition that will persist for life, etc. As is often the case I feel like I have to be my own doctor. Lots of specialists but no one who can look at the problem holistically. Will I ever be cured? How do I know what to do next?

[annie12]

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try www.pvcwest.com
it is really helpful