Arthroscopic evaluation of the subtalar joint: Does sinus tarsi syndrome exist?

This is a retrospective review of 49 subtalar arthroscopies performed betwe en 1989 and 1996, Patients were evaluated in the following areas: (1) preop erative diagnosis, (2) preoperative tests and clinical evaluation, (3) intr aoperative findings, (4) postoperative diagnosis,(5) complications, and (6) clinical outcome, Particular attention was paid to the accuracy of the pre operative diagnosis, subtalar instability, intraoperative findings in sinus tarsi syndrome, and clinical outcome, Overall, this study demonstrated a s uccess rate of 94% good and excellent results in the treatment of various t ypes of subtalar pathologic conditions with arthroscopic techniques, The Wo rkers' Compensation cases reported 90% good and excellent results, The comp lication rate was low, with five minor complications reported, The most com mon complication was a transient neuropraxia involving branches of the supe rficial peroneal nerve, Of the 14 feet that had a preoperative diagnosis of sinus tarsi syndrome, a ll the diagnoses were changed at the time of arthroscopy, The postoperative diagnoses included 10 interosseous ligament tears, two cases of arthrofibr osis, and two degenerative joints, Based on these findings, "sinus tarsi sy ndrome" seems to be an inaccurate term that should be replaced with a speci fic diagnosis, Arthroscopy is the tool that will allow the orthopaedic surg eon to make a more accurate diagnosis.