Medial plantar nerve entrapment is compression of a nerve at the inner heel (the medial plantar nerve) that causes pain, numbness, or tingling.

Symptoms include almost constant pain, whether walking or sitting. Just standing is often difficult. Burning, numbness, and tingling, which often occur when nerves are compressed, usually do not occur in medial plantar nerve entrapment.

Doctors base the diagnosis usually on the person's symptoms and the results of an examination.

Splints and other devices (foot orthoses) that change the position or range of movement of the foot and relieve pressure on affected joints to prevent irritating motion and pressure may help, as may physical therapy and application of extreme cold to the nerve (cryotherapy). If these treatments do not work, injection with an alcohol solution to deaden the nerve or surgery to free the nerve from compressive structures may help relieve pain.

Last full review/revision March 2008 by Kendrick Alan Whitney, DPM