The features and diagnostic value of electrophysiological examination in tarsal tunnel syndrome

Abstract

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of electrophysiological examination for tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS).Methods Motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV),sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV),F wave and electromyographic measurements were carried out with 26 clinically suspected TTS patients.Results Of the 26,22 patients were unilaterally affected and 4 were bilaterally affected,so 30 tarsal tunnels in total were affected.All received electrophysiological examination.Of the 30 affected tarsal tunnels,abnormal MCV was detected in 28 of the posterior tibial nerves (93.3％),while abnormal SCV was detected in 27 medial plantar nerves (90％) and 24 lateral plantar nerves (80％).Needle electromyography of 156 targeted foot muscles detected abnormal spontaneous potentials in 90 of them (57.7％),giant potential in 12 muscles (7.7％) and decreased recruitment in 76 (48.7％).Conclusions The distal posterior tibial nerve is impaired in TTS,presenting axonal damage in an electrophysiological examination.Such examinations should have an important role in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of TTS. Key words: Tarsal tunnel syndrome; Electrophysiological examination; Feet