J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2004 Dec;36(6):443-447.

Surgical Experiences of the Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Hong JT
• Lee SW
• Son BC
• Sung JH
• Kim IS
• Kim MC

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a rare compressive neuropathy. In Korea, the reported cases of the tarsal tunnel syndrome are mainly related to diagnosis, so there are only a few reports about the surgical result. We report the significance of the decompressive surgery for the tarsal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: Seven patients with tarsal tunnel syndrome were treated surgically. The patients were aged 31-70 years (mean 53.1 years), and all of them complained of pain or dysesthesia of the sole of the foot. The posterior tibial nerve and its branches were decompressed through the flexor retinaculum and under the abductor hallucis muscle fascia. RESULTS: Surgical decompression was beneficial in most patients with tarsal tunnel syndrome in their feet. Neither wound infection nor recurrence of symptoms was found during the follow up period (mean 12.9 months). CONCLUSION: Surgical decompression is the good option for the treatment of the tarsal tunnel syndrome, especially in the cases of short symptom duration or mass lesion.

Keyword

Foot; Tarsal tunnel syndrome; Decompressive surgery

MeSH Terms

Decompression, Surgical
Diagnosis
Fascia
Follow-Up Studies
Foot
Humans
Korea
Paresthesia
Recurrence
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome*
Tibial Nerve
Wound Infection