EFFECT OF TARSAL TUNNEL DECOMPRESSION IN THE STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RAT

The streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat has changes in the hind-foot w alking track pattern that are progressive over time. The present study investigated the effect of microsurgical neurolysis of the posterior tibial nerve and its branches in the tarsal tunnel on this pattern. Th e tarsal tunnel decompression was done at the time of onset of diabete s. The results of the study confirmed the progressive pattern of track abnormalities in this rat model, P < .05. The results demonstrated th at rats in which the tarsal tunnel had been decompressed at the onset of their diabetes did not develop the characteristically abnormal diab etic walking track pattern. Rather, the track patterns of the decompre ssed tarsal tunnel diabetic rats were not significally different fron a nondiabetic control population. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.