Operative Treatment of the Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Caused by Tarsal Coalition

Kwon, Duck Joo; Park, Sang Wook

Abstract

PURPOSE: Study was to evaluate the operative results for tarsal coalition with tarsal tunnel syndrome.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From Jan. 2005 to Mar. 2006, among a number of patients who were diagnosed with tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by tarsal coalition and treated surgically, 5 patients were closely observed for more than 12 months. All cases were talocalcaneal coalition and there were two male and three female patients with a mean age of 36 years (22-50 years). We used the Takakura rating scale as clinical evaluation.
RESULTS
All five patients had a burning pain in the sole or extended to toes and showed positive Tinel's sign. Sensory disturbances were observed in the distribution of the medial plantar nerves in four patients and in the area of the medial and lateral plantar nerves in one. Atrophy and weakness of the plantar muscles were seen in two patients. The mean Takakura scale in preoperative and postoperative was 3.4 points (1 to 5 points), 8.6 point (6 to 10 points). The mean follow up was 14.4 months (12 to 16 months). The postoperative results were excellent in two patients, good in two and fair in one. As postoperative complications, there were persistent swelling in one patient and a flexion disturbance of Hallux in one.
CONCLUSION
The coalition resection performed on tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by tarsal coalition could improve a level of pains and neurological symptoms significantly. However, since there were some undesirable complications, a detailed explanation to patients is required prior to surgical treatment and study of such complications may be required.