Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Due To Varicose Vascular Structures: A Case Report

Abstract

Objective: We report a case of a tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by a varicose vascular structures identified by foot MRI. Case report: An eighty-year old male came to our attention for a chronic intermittent bilateral plantar numbness. Symptoms were evident especially in the left foot when taking a bath or after a long distance walk. Feet were bilaterally flat. Ankles range of motion was bilaterally complete and pain free. Resisted range of motion testing including resisted ankle dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion, and eversion was found to be pain free and of equal strength bilater - ally. Neurological testing of the lower extremities was found to be positive for the Tinel sign at level of medial malleolus. Left ankle MRI showed evidence of several varicose vascular structures. One of the varicose vascular structures was suddenly narrow at level of tarsal tun- nel. Posterior tibial vein at the tarsal tunnel level was dilated and appeared to continue in the varicose vascular structure on contrast study. Diagnosis of tarsal tunnel syndrome was made both by symptoms and imaging, considering the dilatation of the posterior tibial vein and the compression of the varicose structures around the tarsal tunnel. Treatment: Resection surgery of the retinaculum was performed in order to decrease the pres- sure on the tarsal tunnel. The patient's symptom reduced after the surgery. However, a few months later he referred recurrence of plantar numbness. Conclusion: Patients who suffer from tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by a varicose vascular structures can show different symptoms if compared with those present in the same syndrome caused by other diseases. If varicose veins are detected in the tarsal tunnel and symptoms of compression are present, along with a concomitant foot deformity that predisposes to disease, diagnosis of tarsal tunnel syndrome should be considered. In order to achieve good results, the treatment of the varicose vascular structures and the correction of foot deformities are recom- mended together with a tarsal tunnel decompression.