Glossary · Injury & Prevention
When a nerve at the ankle comes under pressure
Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a compression of the tibial nerve or one of its branches within a narrow passage on the inside of the ankle, known as the tarsal tunnel. The narrowing can result from swelling, bony restrictions, or repeated mechanical irritation, and typically presents as tingling, burning, or numbness in the sole of the foot.
In dance, particularly in classical ballet, the tarsal tunnel is stressed by repeated extreme plantarflexion – the forceful pointing of the foot downward, for example on pointe – such as during relevés, pointe work, or landing from jumps. These positions, often combined with a tightness at the back of the ankle joint (posterior ankle impingement), can lead to mechanical irritation of the nerve. Tightly fitted pointe shoes or ribbons laced firmly around the medial ankle can add further pressure. Tingling or a "falling asleep" sensation in the sole of the foot after training can be a sign of such nerve irritation and should be distinguished from purely muscular fatigue or irritation of the tendon that bends the big toe. Because symptoms begin gradually and initially appear only with specific movements, they are often not taken seriously in everyday training at first.
Because nerve irritation feels different from typical muscle soreness and is easily overlooked, CENIT e.V.'s prevention work places importance on raising awareness of this distinction. Taking tingling or numbness seriously early on and reviewing factors such as shoe fit, technique, and training load can often help prevent symptoms from becoming chronic.
This entry serves to convey knowledge in a prevention context and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or advice. For persistent tingling, burning, or numbness, we recommend consulting professionals experienced in dance medicine – for example through ta.med's referral network or the resources provided by IADMS.
Kennedy JG et al. Nerve disorders in dancers. Clin Sports Med. 2008;27(2):329–334. doi.org/10.1016/j.csm.2008.01.001 · Li F, Adrien N, He Y. Biomechanical Risks Associated with Foot and Ankle Injuries in Ballet Dancers: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(8):4916. doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084916
