Tarsal Tunnel Decompression Research Articles

Accessory Soleus Muscle: Two Case Reports with a Completely Different Presentation Caused by the Same Entity

Accessory soleus muscle (ASM) is a rare supernumerary anatomical variant that commonly presents as a posteromedial ankle swelling, which may become painful during physical activity. As it may mimic a soft tissue tumor, it is essential to differentiate this condition from ganglion, lipoma, hemangioma, synovioma, and sarcoma. However, ASM may also present with a painful syndrome, characterized by pain and paresthesia of the ankle and foot, mimicking the tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS). Two cases of ASM are presented in this article. The first case had a typical presentation with painful posteromedial ankle swelling. After the initial assessment, the diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ASM was treated by complete resection. The second case presented with pain and paresthesia in the right ankle and foot, but no swelling was noticeable. It was initially misdiagnosed by a rheumatologist and afterward overlooked on an MRI by a musculoskeletal radiology specialist and therefore mistreated by numerous physicians before being referred to our outpatient clinic. After further assessment, the diagnosis has been confirmed, and ASM was treated by complete resection combined with tarsal tunnel decompression. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported in which ASM caused symptoms but presented without posteromedial swelling. This might be due to a proximally positioned belly of the ASM, followed by a tendinous insertion on the medial side of the calcaneus.

Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring for Tarsal Tunnel Decompression: A Surgical Technique to Improve Outcomes

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intraoperative neuromonitoring (INM) as an adjunct in performing tarsal tunnel decompression surgery. We reviewed 38 patients who met inclusion criteria. INM was used to measure the voltage of the abductor hallucis and digiti quinti muscles both before and after decompression. Observed changes intraoperatively were acute and within minutes of the decompression performed by the surgeon. Patient outcomes were ascertained from clinical findings and classified as excellent, fair, or poor. Patient outcomes and the voltage change were measured and assessed for association, and statistically significant differences were found between outcome groups. Of the 38 patients, 29 (76%) had excellent outcomes, with a mean change in microvolts of 2088.28 ± 1172.44 (684%) (p = .0004) and 2173.24 ± 1228.39 (742%) (p = .0014) for abductor hallucis and abductor digiti quinti, respectively. The study supports INM as a useful adjunct in performing tarsal tunnel decompression.

Tarsal Tunnel Musculature Variant to Consider When Performing a Tarsal Tunnel Decompression in the Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy

Maslowski, Douglas J.; Snyder, Sean B.; Ueno, Cristiane M. MD, FACS; Lambert, Wayne H PhD Author Information

Tarsal tunnel release restores sensations in sole for diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy

BackgroundDiabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) is the commonest form of neuropathy. Loss of sensations in sole leads to diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and its complications. Surgical decompression has been used in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, however; its effectiveness has been questioned.Purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensory recovery in sole after tarsal tunnel decompression (TTD) in patients having DSPN. MethodsThirteen patients (Age28-70 years, average 35.57 years; 7 Males, 6 Females; 20 feet) with DSPN and positive Tinel's sign over the tarsal tunnel were included in the study. Pre and post-operative sensory tests performed on the sole included tests for touch, pain, temperature, pressure, vibration perception threshold (VPT) and two-point discrimination (2-PD). Results were classified as per British Medical Research Council (MRC) scoring system. Results–Sixteen feet were followed-up for 6 months. In all feet perception of touch, pain and pressure recovered. Temperature perception recovered in 75% feet. VPT came to normal range (16.81V) from 40.37 V and 2-PD came down to average of 6.0 mm from preoperative average of11.2 mm.MRC scale improved from S0 in 5 feet and S2 in 15 feet to S3+ in all 16 feet.There were no ulcers or amputation in operated limbs during follow up period of 6 months. ConclusionsTTD improves plantar sensations in diabetic neuropathy and prevents ulcers and its related complications.

Tarsal tunnel decompression: an effective method for prevention of foot complications in diabetic patients with compressive neuropathy at tarsal tunnel

Background: Diabetic foot is one of the most devastating complications of diabetes with 15% lifetime risk of developing ulcer foot. About 80% of diabetic foot is neuropathic in origin, revealing the importance of sensory sensation in preventing the development of diabetic ulcer. This study is aimed to identify the efficiency of tarsal tunnel decompression surgery in diabetic patients in ulcer healing and in the prevention of development of new diabetic related foot complications.Methods: About 70 diabetic patients with ulcer in one foot, acting as test limb and contralateral foot having no ulcer, acting as control limb was included in the study. Tarsal tunnel decompression surgery was done in the test limb and the status of ulcer in the test limb, in terms of diameter/ progress of ulcer healing was observed. In both the study limb and the control limb foot was examined for onset of any new diabetes related foot changes/complications during the follow up period for 18 months.Results: Postoperatively, at 6 weeks, 20 patients (28.6%) had their ulcers fully healed. At 3rd month postoperative follow up 90.48% of ulcers in the test limb showed complete healing following decompression surgery and 9.52% of ulcers showed partial healing. Following decompression surgery in the test limb, only 2 patients (3.28%) developed new diabetes related foot changes/complications as compared to control limb, where 15 patients (24.59%) developed new diabetes related foot changes/complications.Conclusions: Present study firmly proves that following tarsal tunnel decompression surgery, there is improvement in healing of the ulcer with conservative measures and there is a definitive role of tarsal tunnel decompression in prevention of development of new diabetes related foot changes/complications in patients.

A study of effect of tarsal tunnel decompression on sensory improvement in diabetic foot: a prospective randomized control trial

Background: In India approximately, 45000 legs are amputated every year and almost 75% of these amputations are carried out in neuropathic feet which are potentially preventable. Diabetic peripheral nerves are at risk of entrapment neuropathies focally, where these nerves are contained in a closed space. The aim of the study was to find out the effect of decompression of compressed posterior tibial nerve and its branches at tarsal tunnel in restoration of sensation in diabetic foot.Methods: A total of 70 diabetic patients with ulcer foot in one limb (test limb) and with no ulcer on the other limb (control limb) were selected for study. The test limb was subjected to tarsal tunnel release. Sensory recovery was evaluated in the ulcer limb and compared with normal limb in same patient and results were evaluated statistically for significance.Results: Present study shows that following tarsal tunnel decompression surgery on test limb, 65 patients (93%) had sensory gain and 5 patients (7%) had documented no sensory gain on test limb, with statistical significance. After de-compressive surgery on the test limb, 69 patients (98.6%) were documented to have resolving of Tinel sign in the test limb with sensory improvement, suggesting adequate decompression and 1 patient (1.4%) was documented to have persistent Tinel sign suggesting possibility of inadequate decompression with no recovery of sensation, with statistical significance.Conclusions: Present study reveals that decompression of tarsal tunnel in diabetic ulcer foot patients leads to definite improvement in sensation of foot which will prevent further ulcer formation and resultant complications ending in amputations.

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

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.

Outcomes and Safety of Endoscopic Tarsal Tunnel Decompression

Open surgical decompression of the tarsal tunnel is the standard surgical approach for compression of the tibial nerve within the tarsal tunnel. Complications associated with this approach can be significant and periods of non-weight bearing are required. An alternative approach allowing for minimal soft tissue trauma and reduced time to ambulation is therefore desirable. Endoscopic tarsal tunnel decompression may provide such an alternative. The authors performed a systematic review of electronic databases and other relevant sources to identify material regarding the safety of endoscopic tarsal tunnel decompression. Only articles that included clear information concerning the safety of endoscopic tarsal tunnel decompression with a follow-up of at least 12 months were included. Three studies were identified involving 37 feet, with a weighted mean follow-up of 27 months. There were no permanent complications relating to iatrogenic nerve injury, deep infection, or prolonged wound healing problems documented despite initiating ambulation within one week of surgery. Two patients (5.6%) developed recurrence more than 2 years postoperative and one (2.7%) showed no improvement. Endoscopic tarsal tunnel decompression is a safe procedure with a low rate of recurrence or failure and allows for near-immediate ambulation. However, additional prospective investigations comparing open and endoscopic approaches to tarsal tunnel decompression are warranted.

Touch pressure and sensory density after tarsal tunnel release in diabetic neuropathy

Limited quantitative information is available about the improvement of protective sensation after tarsal tunnel release in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Prospective, non-blinded, non-randomized case series of 10 feet in 8 diabetic patients and 24 feet in 22 non-diabetic patients who had tarsal tunnel release. Preoperative and postoperative (average, 8-9 months) anatomic, quantitative sensory testing was done with touch pressure 1-point threshold (Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments) and 2-point discrimination. There was marked, significant postoperative improvement of mean touch pressure 1-point threshold, compared with preoperative values, for medial calcaneal, medial plantar, and lateral plantar nerves in both non-diabetic and diabetic patients. There was minimal improvement in 2-point discrimination only for the medial calcaneal nerve in non-diabetic, but not in diabetic, patients. Nerve entrapment at the tarsal tunnel is an important component of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Tarsal tunnel decompression may improve sensory impairment and restore protective sensation.

Anatomic Site for Proximal Tibial Nerve Compression

Primary compression of the tibial nerve beneath the fibromuscular sling of the origin of the soleus muscle is rarely discussed in the literature. To evaluate the location and characteristics of the soleal fibromuscular sling and its relationship to the tibial nerve, 36 cadaver limbs were dissected. The leg length, location of soleal fibromuscular sling, presence of a thickened fibrous band at the soleal sling, and narrowing in the tibial nerve were recorded. The average leg length was 47.8 cm (SD +/- 4.16). The fibromuscular soleal sling was 9.3 cm (SD +/- 1.44) distal to the medial tibial plateau. Although 56% (20/36) of specimens had a fibrous band, only 8% (3/36) demonstrated a focal narrowing directly under this fascial sling. This study demonstrates that the fibromuscular sling of the soleus muscle may act as a potential compression site of the tibial nerve. These findings offer insight and potential hope for those patients who have persistent plantar numbness after tarsal tunnel decompression and for those patients with plantar numbness who also have weakness of toe flexion.

Tarsal Tunnel Decompression in Leg Lengthening and Deformity Correction of the Foot and Ankle

Decompression of the tarsal tunnel has been performed since the 1960s and has resulted in variable outcomes. The success rate of this procedure has ranged from 44% to 95%. We review the anatomy of the tarsal tunnel region and offer a detailed surgical approach for the decompression of its contents. We also discuss the role of this procedure in leg lengthening and deformity correction of the foot and ankle.

Neuromas of the calcaneal nerves.

A neuroma of a calcaneal nerve has never been reported. A series of 15 patients with heel pain due to a neuroma of a calcaneal nerve are reviewed. These patients previously had either a plantar fasciotomy (n = 4), calcaneal spur removal (n = 2), ankle fusion (n = 2), or tarsal tunnel decompression (n = 7). Neuromas occurred on calcaneal branches that arose from either the posterior tibial nerve (n = 1), lateral plantar nerve (n = 1), the medial plantar nerve (n = 9), or more than one of these nerves (n = 4). Operative approach was through an extended tarsal tunnel incision to permit identification of all calcaneal nerves. The neuroma was resected and implanted into the flexor hallucis longus muscle. Excellent relief of pain occurred in 60%, and good relief in 33%. One patient (17%) had no improvement and required resection of the lateral plantar nerve. Awareness that the heel may be innervated by multiple calcaneal branches suggests that surgery for heel pain of neural origin employ a surgical approach that permits identification of all possible calcaneal branches.

Treatment of recurrent neuroma of the interdigital nerve by implantation of the proximal nerve into muscle in the arch of the foot

A prospective study was done to evaluate the results of treating recurrent "Morton's" neuroma by a technique that combined resecting the interdigital neuroma through a plantar approach and implantation of the proximal end of the nerve into an intrinsic muscle in the arch of the foot. As a part of this study, quantitative sensory testing was done for the medial plantar and medial calcaneal nerves. Seventeen recurrent interdigital neuromas were resected in 13 patients. Pain was identified on physical examination as being due to neuromas located in the first (one), second (six), third, (eight) and fourth (two) web spaces. Seven of the 13 patients were found to have, by quantitative sensory testing and physical examination, an associated tarsal tunnel syndrome responsible for symptoms related to numbness in the foot in addition to the pain of the recurrent neuroma. These patients had tarsal tunnel decompression at the time of the neuroma resection. At a mean follow-up time of 33.8 months (range 24-42 months), done by direct physician interview and examination, 80% of the patients had excellent relief of symptoms, returned to their regular job, and wore usual footwear. Twenty percent of the patients had good relief of symptoms, worked at a different job, and had to change their footwear. It is concluded that recurrent pain after a dorsal interdigital neurectomy can be treated successfully through a plantar approach with implantation of the proximal end of the nerve into an intrinsic muscle. This study also identified an association of tarsal tunnel syndrome in 54% of this series of patients with recurrent Morton's neuroma.

Pain at the Site of Tarsal Tunnel Incision Due to Neuroma of the Posterior Branch of the Saphenous Nerve

The authors conducted a retrospective review of 16 patients who presented with the complaint of pain at the incision site after tarsal tunnel decompression. Specifically, the pain was located at the proximal aspect of the tarsal tunnel decompression scar. The mean duration of pain was 21 months (range, 6 to 34 months). The pain was eliminated by a block of the distal saphenous nerve, demonstrating that the pain was due to a neuroma of this nerve. The pain was treated by resection of the distal saphenous nerve in the distal leg and implantation of the proximal end of this nerve into the soleus muscle. At a mean of 18.5 months after surgery (range, 6 to 33 months), excellent relief of pain was achieved in 76% of cases and good relief of pain in 24% of cases.

Clinical results after tarsal tunnel decompression.

We reviewed the clinical results for thirty patients (thirty-two feet) who had had exploration and decompression of the posterior tibial nerve for the treatment of tarsal tunnel syndrome between 1982 and 1990. The average duration of follow-up was thirty-one months (range, twenty-four to 118 months). Most of the patients were female, and the average age was forty-seven years (range, thirteen to seventy-two years). Over-all, only fourteen (44 percent) of the thirty-two feet benefited markedly from the operative procedure (a good or excellent result). Of the five patients (five feet) who were completely satisfied, three had another lesion (a ganglion cyst, an accessory navicular bone, or a medial talocalcaneal coalition) in or near the tarsal tunnel that had been treated at the same time. Eleven patients (twelve feet [38 percent]) were clearly dissatisfied with the result and had no long-term relief of the pain (a poor result). The pain was decreased in six feet (19 percent), but the patients still had some pain and disability (a fair result). There were four complications (13 percent): three wound infections and one delay in wound-healing. Twenty-two feet had had preoperative electrodiagnostic studies; the results of eighteen studies were considered abnormal and supportive of a diagnosis of tarsal tunnel syndrome. However, there was no correlation between the clinical outcome at the latest follow-up visit and the results of these studies. Over-all, the patients in the current series had less improvement than those who have been reported on previously.2

Effect of tarsal tunnel decompression in the streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rat

The streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat has changes in the hind-foot walking 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. The tarsal tunnel decompression was done at the time of onset of diabetes. The results of the study confirmed the progressive pattern of track abnormalities in this rat model, P < .05. The results demonstrated that rats in which the tarsal tunnel had been decompressed at the onset of their diabetes did not develop the characteristically abnormal diabetic walking track pattern. Rather, the track patterns of the decompressed tarsal tunnel diabetic rats were not significally different from a nondiabetic control population.