Physical Therapy Assistant Practice Exam

Which condition involves pain that may extend into the toes due to tibial nerve compression?

1. Achilles tendonitis

2. Plantar fasciitis

3. Tarsal tunnel syndrome

4. Sever's disease

The correct answer is: Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is characterized by compression of the tibial nerve as it passes through the tarsal tunnel, located on the inside of the ankle. This condition can lead to symptoms such as pain, tingling, and numbness that may extend from the foot into the toes because the tibial nerve innervates areas of the foot, including the sensation in the toes. The biomechanical factors contributing to this compression could include swelling, inflammation, and structural abnormalities in the surrounding tissues. In contrast, Achilles tendonitis is specific to the Achilles tendon and typically presents with pain localized near the heel and the mid-portion of the tendon, but it does not usually involve pain that radiates into the toes. Plantar fasciitis is primarily a condition involving heel pain and stiffness resulting from inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot, without direct symptoms extending into the toes. Sever's disease refers to growth plate inflammation in the heel of young adolescents, which again pertains more to localized pain in the heel area and does not cause symptoms that extend into the toes. Hence, tarsal tunnel syndrome most accurately represents a condition involving tibial nerve compression and associated referred symptoms into the toes.