I. Turan et al., TARSAL TUNNEL-SYNDROME - OUTCOME OF SURGERY IN LONGSTANDING CASES, Clinical orthopaedics and related research, (343), 1997, pp. 151-156
Cases of longstanding (median, 60 months) tarsal tunnel syndrome were
decompressed surgically in 14 female and four male patients, Patients
reported intermittent dysesthesia, paresthesia, or anesthesia at the m
edial plantar aspect of the foot, Symptoms were aggravated by physical
activities, Previous trauma was noted in four patients, Tinel's sign
was positive in 16 patients, Magnetic resonance imaging was performed
in 10 patients but was conclusive in only two, At surgery, the posteri
or tibial nerve or one of its branches was found to be entrapped in 15
patients, Entrapments were observed isolated or in combination within
the fascial septa (n = 5), varicose veins (n = 6), scar tissues (n =
4), tenosynovitis and edema (n = 1), or within the abductor hallucis m
uscle (n = 1). Two neuromas were excised, In three patients no obvious
entrapments were found, Clinical followup was performed a median 18 m
onths after surgery, Relief of symptoms was reported as long as 1 year
after surgery, All symptoms were relieved in 11 (61%) patients, Three
(17%) patients with previous trauma had relatively severe pain after
surgery and were considered to have failed results, Surgical decompres
sion was beneficial in most patients with longstanding tarsal tunnel s
yndrome.