Results of surgical treatment of tarsal tunnel syndrome

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present our results after surgical treatment of patients suffering from a tarsal tunnel syndrome. In 75 patients 77 surgical decompressions of the tarsal tunnel were performed. All patients were treated conservatively for at least 6 months prior to surgical intervention. A positive local anesthesia test prior to the operation was mandatory for all patients. The results were evaluated according to pain at rest, pain during walking, weakness, and according to a modified AOFAS forefoot score. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 100 months (average 39 months). Only 43 out of 75 patients were subjectively satisfied and would undergo the procedure again. While pain at rest decreased in 53 patients, pain during walking decreased only in 22 cases. Subjective muscle weakness decreased in six patients—however, this parameter was not a clinical relevant problem in most of the patients. At the time of follow-up the modified AOFAS score was 44 (range 15–75). Surgical decompression of the tibial nerve did not lead to good results in all cases. Therefore the indications for surgery should be handled with strong restriction.