The Effectiveness of Indonesia's Seven - Step Return to Work Assessment on a Distal Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome : A Case Report Study.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is a nerve entrapment of the posterior tibial nerve. This uncommon condition frequently goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed even though it interferes with the daily activities of workers. Here we discuss the return to work status of a 37-year-old male patient who manages a manufacturing plant. He was identified as having Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome as a result of a foot abnormality and improper shoe wear. He had moderate pes planus and underwent tarsal tunnel release on his right foot. What are the determinant factors in defining a patient's status for returning to work after a tarsal tunnel release? We conducted a literature review using PubMed, Science Direct, and Cochrane. The Indonesian Occupational Medicine Association used the seven-step return-to-work assessment as a protocol to avoid overlooking the process. Duration of symptoms, associated pathology, and the presence of structural foot problems or a space-occupying lesion are factors affecting outcome. Post-operative foot scores, including Maryland Foot Score (MFS), VAS, and Foot Function Index, can be used to evaluate patient outcomes. Early disability limitation and a thorough return-to-work assessment are needed.

Weight-bearing Ultrasound to Diagnose Talar Dislocation Causing Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome.

The neuropathic compression of the tibial nerve and/or its branches on the medial side of the ankle is called tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS). Patients with TTS presents pain, paresthesia, hypoesthesia, hyperesthesia, muscle cramps or numbness which affects the sole of the foot, the heel, or both. The clinical diagnosis is challenging because of the fairly non-specific and several symptomatology. We demonstrate a case of TTS caused by medial dislocation of the talar bone on the calcaneus bone impacting the tibial nerve diagnosed only by ultrasound with the patient in the standing position.

Lateralizing calcaneal osteotomy performed with a percutaneous burr results in a significantly lower increase in tarsal tunnel pressure.

PURPOSE: Tarsal tunnel syndrome is well documented following lateralizing calcaneal osteotomy to manage varus hindfoot deformity. Traditionally, calcaneal osteotomy is performed with an oscillating saw. No studies have investigated the effect of alternative surgical techniques on postoperative tarsal tunnel pressure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in tarsal tunnel pressures following lateralizing calcaneal osteotomy performed using a high-torque, low-speed "minimally invasive surgery" (MIS) Shannon burr versus an oscillating saw. METHODS: Lateralizing calcaneal osteotomy was performed on 10 below-knee cadaveric specimens. This was conducted on 5 specimens each using an oscillating saw (Saw group) or MIS burr (Burr group). The calcaneal tuberosity was translated 1 cm laterally and transfixed using 2 Kirschner wires. Tarsal tunnel pressure was measured before and after osteotomy via ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle barometer. Mean pre/post-osteotomy pressures were compared between groups. Differences were analyzed using Student's t test. RESULTS: The mean pre-procedure tarsal tunnel pressure was 25.8 ± 5.1 mm Hg in the Saw group and 26.4 ± 4.3 mm Hg in the Burr group (p = 0.85). The mean post-procedure pressure was 63.4 ± 5.1 in the Saw group and 47.8 ± 4.3 in the Burr group (p = 0.01). Change in tarsal tunnel pressure was significantly lower in the Burr group (21.4 ± 4.5) compared to the Saw group (37.6 ± 12.5) (p = 0.03). The increase in tarsal tunnel pressure was 43% lower in the Burr group. CONCLUSION: In this cadaveric study, tarsal tunnel pressure increase after lateralizing calcaneal osteotomy was significantly lower when using a burr versus a saw. This is likely because the increased width ("kerf") of the 3 mm MIS burr, compared to the submillimeter saw blade width, causes calcaneal shortening. Given the smaller increase in tarsal tunnel pressure, using the MIS burr for lateralizing calcaneal osteotomy may decrease the risk of postoperative tarsal tunnel syndrome. Future research in vivo should explore this.

The bifurcation and topography of the posterior tibial artery within the tarsal tunnel.

PURPOSE: The tarsal tunnel (TT) is a fibro-osseous anatomical space coursing from the medial ankle to the medial midfoot. This tunnel acts as a passage for both tendinous and neurovascular structures, including the neurovascular bundle containing the posterior tibial artery (PTA), posterior tibial veins (PTVs) and tibial nerve (TN). Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is the entrapment neuropathy that describes the compression and irritation of the TN within this space. Iatrogenic injury to the PTA plays a significant role in both the onset and exacerbation of TTS symptoms. The current study aims to produce a method to allow clinicians and surgeons to easily and accurately predict the bifurcation of the PTA, to avoid iatrogenic injury during treatment of TTS. METHODS: Fifteen embalmed cadaveric lower limbs were dissected at the medial ankle region to expose the TT. Various measurements regarding the location of the PTA within the TT were recorded and multiple linear regression analysis performed using RStudio. RESULTS: Analysis provided a clear correlation (p < 0.05) between the length of the foot (MH), length of hind-foot (MC) and location of bifurcation of the PTA (MB). Using these measurements, this study developed an equation (MB = 0.3*MH + 0.37*MC - 28.24 mm) to predict the location of bifurcation of the PTA within a 23° arc inferior to the medial malleolus. CONCLUSIONS: This study successfully developed a method whereby clinicians and surgeons can easily and accurately predict the bifurcation of the PTA, to avoid iatrogenic injury that would previously lead to an exacerbation of TTS symptoms.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: An Ultrasound Pictorial Review.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome may be idiopathic or may be caused by various conditions: bone disease, thickening of the retinaculum, hematoma, or iatrogenic nerve damage; tendinopathy or tenosynovitis; the presence of supernumerary muscles such as an accessory soleus, peroneocalcaneus internus, or accessory flexor digitorum muscle; bone or joint disorders; expansile tumors or cysts; and venous aneurysm or kinking of the tibial artery. The purpose of this article is to describe and illustrate most of the causes of tarsal tunnel syndrome, as diagnosed by ultrasound, which is a practical, inexpensive method.

Accessory Flexor Digitorum Longus Presenting as Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: A Case Series.

ABSTRACT: Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) typically occurs from extrinsic or intrinsic sources of compression on the tibial nerve. We present 3 cases of patients, all of whom have a prolonged time to diagnosis after evaluation with multiple specialties, with foot pain ultimately secondary to an accessory flexor digitorum longus muscle causing TTS. The literature describing the association between TTS and accessory musculature has been limited to single case reports and frequently demonstrate abnormal electrodiagnostic testing. In our series, 2 cases had normal electrodiagnostic findings despite magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that later revealed TTS and improvement with eventual resection. A normal electromyogram should not preclude the diagnosis of TTS and MRI of the ankle; it should be considered a useful diagnostic tool when examining atypical foot pain.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome secondary to accessory or variant muscles: a clinical and anatomical systematic review.

PURPOSE: Many etiologies are known to lead to a tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS). One rare cause is mass-occupying lesions, and particularly accessory or variant muscles (AVM). This study aimed to systematically collect published clinical cases of TTS caused by AVM. METHODS: An electronic literature search was conducted from inception to April 2021. The diagnosis of AVM should be reported in one of the following methods: ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or per-operatively. Data extraction included types and prevalence of accessory muscles, clinical presentation and diagnosis, and treatment modalities. Twenty-five studies were identified with a total 39 patients (47 ankles). RESULTS: The prevalence of TTS was reported in only two studies (9%). Forty-nine AVM were identified with the accessory flexor digitorum longus being the most common (52%). The most common sign/symptoms were tenderness (78.7%), pain (82.9%), dysesthesia (57.4%), Tinel sign (44.6%), and a swelling (25.5%). Decompression and excision were the most commonly performed procedures. Four accessory/variant muscles in the ankle have the potential to induce a tarsal tunnel syndrome. CONCLUSION: This review highlights the clinical and imagery specificities of TTS secondary to accessory or variant muscles. Mass-occupying etiology should be included in the list of differential diagnoses whenever a posterior tibial nerve compression is suspected.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: Outcome According to Etiology.

Surgical results in tarsal tunnel syndrome are variable, and etiology seems to be a factor. Three possible etiologies can be distinguished. The aim of the present study was to compare surgical results according to etiology. Three continuous retrospective series (45 patients overall) of tarsal tunnel syndrome were compared. Group 1 presented a permanent intra- or extra-tunnel space-occupying compressive structure. Group 2 presented intermittent intra-tunnel venous dilatations. Group 3 comprised idiopathic tarsal tunnel syndrome. The mean follow-up was 3.6 +/- 1.8 years. The main endpoint was subjective postoperative improvement on Likert scale. Group 1 reported greater improvement than groups 2 and 3. Preoperative neuropathy on ultrasound was associated with poorer improvement, which was not the case for neuropathy on electromyography. Surgical treatment of tarsal tunnel syndrome provides better results in etiologies involving structural compression.

Anatomy of the tibial nerve in relation to the tarsal tunnel: A cadaveric study.

BACKGROUND: Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is typically caused by an anatomical variant or mechanical compression of the tibial nerve (TN) with variable success after surgical treatment. METHOD: 40 lower-leg specimens were obtained. Dissections were appropriately conducted. Extremities were prepared under formaldehyde solution. The tibial nerve and branches were dissected for measurements and various characteristics. RESULTS: The flexor retinaculum had a denser consistency in 22.5% of the cases and the average length was 51.9 mm. The flexor retinaculum as an independent structure was absent and 77.2% of cases as an undistinguished extension of the crural fascia. The lateral plantar nerve (LPN) and abductor digiti minimi (ADM) nerve shared same origin in 80% of cases, 34.5% bifurcated proximal to the DM (Dellon-McKinnon malleolar-calcaneal line) line 31.2% distally and 34.3% at the same level. CONCLUSION: Understanding the tibial nerve anatomy will allow us to adapt our surgical technique to improve the treatment of this recurrent pathology.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome secondary to osteochondroma of the calcaneus: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Tarsal tunnel syndrome is an entrapment neuropathy that can be provoked by either intrinsic or extrinsic factors that compresses the posterior tibial nerve beneath the flexor retinaculum. Osteochondroma, the most common benign bone tumor, seldom occur in foot or ankle. This is a rare case of tarsal tunnel syndrome secondary to osteochondroma of the sustentaculum tali successfully treated with open surgical excision. CASE PRESENTATION: A 15-year-old male presented with the main complaint of burning pain and paresthesia on the medial plantar aspect of the forefoot to the middle foot region. Hard mass-like lesion was palpated on the posteroinferior aspect of the medial malleolus. On the radiological examination, 2.5 × 1 cm sized bony protuberance was found below the sustentaculum tali. Surgical decompression of the posterior tibial nerve was performed by complete excision of the bony mass connected to the sustentaculum tali. The excised mass was diagnosed to be osteochondroma on the histologic examination. After surgery, the pain was relieved immediately and hypoesthesia disappeared 3 months postoperatively. Physical examination and radiographic examination at 2-year follow up revealed that tarsal tunnel was completely decompressed without any evidence of complication or recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: As for tarsal tunnel syndrome secondary to the identifiable space occupying structure with a distinct neurologic symptom, we suggest complete surgical excision of the causative structure in an effort to effectively relieve symptoms and prevent recurrence.

A Case Report and Literature Review: Intraneural Ganglion Cyst Causing Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome.

Intraneural ganglion cysts are benign mucinous lesions that form within joints and enter adjacent nerves via an articular branch. Despite being morphologically characterized as benign, they can demonstrate considerable intrafascicular destruction and expansion, resulting in worsening compressive neuropathies or nerve injury. There have been several suggested theories of pathogenesis, but the most widely accepted articular (synovial) theory describes a capsular defect in a neighboring joint that allows joint fluid to egress and track along the epineurium of the innervating articular branch. In this case report, we describe an intraneural ganglionic cyst located in the tarsal tunnel with extensive involvement of the tibial nerve. We describe the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment as well as review the current literature on intraneural ganglionic cysts.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Caused by a Schwannoma of the Posterior Tibial Nerve.

Schwannoma is the most common tumor of the peripheral nerve sheath. However, there have been few reports on schwannoma of the posterior tibial nerve causing tarsal tunnel syndrome. We report on a 60-year-old man with tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by a schwannoma of the posterior tibial nerve, which was first diagnosed as a ganglion cyst. After enucleation of this tumor, the patient was asymptomatic and had no related sequelae except for minor numbness in the plantar aspects of his digits. Although schwannoma of the posterior tibial nerve is rare, it should be considered even if a ganglion is clinically suspected.

Posterior Tibial Nerve Lymphoma Presenting as Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: A Case Report.

We report a case of isolated posterior tibial B-cell lymphoma of the posterior tibial nerve presenting as tarsal tunnel syndrome. This diagnosis was considered because of the clinical presentation and electrophysiologic abnormalities. It was further confirmed by the magnetic resonance imaging findings of the ankle and tissue pathologic findings. Whole body positron emission tomography confirmed this to be a localized lymphoma involving the peripheral nerve. The patient underwent chemotherapy with complete tumor resolution. She had had no relapse after 8 months of follow-up. Isolated peripheral nerve lymphomas are very rare, and involvement of the posterior tibial nerve has not been previously reported. Furthermore, the present case report highlights the importance of the clinical examination in the diagnosis of tarsal tunnel syndrome before performing surgical decompression.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Due To Three Different Types of Ganglion During a 12-Year Period: A Case Report.

A 52-year-old male complained of numbness and radiating pain affecting the plantar region of his left foot. He was found to have recurrent tarsal tunnel syndrome due to posterior tibial nerve compression by 3 different types of ganglion during a 12-year period. To the best of our knowledge, a similar case has not been documented. At the first operation, flexor retinaculum release and simple excision of an epineural ganglion were performed without injuring the nerve fascicles; however, an intrafascicular ganglion developed approximately 2 years later. At the second operation, the ganglion cyst was resected completely to prevent recurrence, despite the risk of nerve fiber injury. The cyst originated from the subtalar joint; thus, the joint was closed, and a free fat graft was placed to prevent adhesion formation. However, an extraneural ganglion occurred about 3 years later. At the third operation, the cyst was resected completely, and a free periosteal graft was used to close the joint more effectively. No recurrence had developed at 6 years after the third operation. The findings of the present case show the need for long-term monitoring of patients with tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by a ganglion owing to the possibility of recurrence related to different ganglion types.

Peripheral Nerve Schwannoma: A Review of Varying Clinical Presentations and Imaging Findings.

A schwannoma or neurilemmoma is a benign, isolated, noninvasive, and encapsulated tumor originating from Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheath. The incidence of a schwannoma occurring in the foot and ankle is rare, with prevalence rate of 1% to 10%. Schwannomas have no sex predilection, and they commonly occur in patients in their fourth decade. Malignant transformation of benign schwannoma is unusual; however, it is important to note that malignant variants of schwannomas do exist and account for about 5% to 10% of all soft tissue sarcomas. We present 3 cases of benign schwannoma in the lower extremity. All 3 patients presented with varying clinical symptoms, including pain, paresthesia, weakness, and a palpable mass. A schwannoma was eventually diagnosed in all 3 patients. We discuss and review the known entities of peripheral nerve schwannoma and describe the clinical and imaging findings and therapeutic strategies for treating and diagnosing peripheral nerve schwannoma.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Secondary to an Unreported Ossicle of the Talus: A Case Report.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is a compression neuropathy of the posterior tibial nerve in the tarsal tunnel. In about 80% of patients, a specific cause can be identified for TTS. We present a case of TTS secondary to an ossicle in close relation to the talus that, to our knowledge, has not previously been reported. A 26-year-old male presented with left ankle and foot pain that increased with activity and playing football. He had a tingling sensation and paresthesia in the sole and medial border of the foot along the distribution of the medial and lateral plantar nerves. Clinically, he had hard swelling at the floor of the tarsal tunnel, and Tinel's sign was positive. Computed tomography showed an accessory ossicle articulating with the posteromedial aspect of the talus, separating the flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus tendons, with tenosynovitis of the tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus tendons. Surgical release of the tarsal tunnel and excision of the ossicle were performed. Postoperatively, the patient showed dramatic improvement and had no complications or recurrence of symptoms after 8 months of follow-up. More interestingly, to the best of our knowledge, this ossicle has not been previously reported to cause TTS.

The ultrasonographic evaluation of hemodynamic changes in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy after tarsal tunnel decompression.

BACKGROUND: Nerve decompression procedures have shown to have promising roles in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. It is known that not only nerves but also arteries pass through the same compressed anatomical tunnels. The aim of the study is to reveal whether the surgical decompression procedures have a positive effect on hemodynamic and morphological parameters of the arterial structures passing through these anatomic tunnels. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients who underwent posterior and anterior tarsal tunnel release procedures were retrospectively scanned for preoperative and 3 months postoperative arterial Doppler ultrasound imaging. The preoperative and third month postoperative measurements were compared for flow pattern of artery, flow lumen diameter, pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), and flow volumes by evaluating the hemodynamic and morphological parameters of dorsalis pedis (DPA) and tibialis posterior arteries (TPA). RESULTS: For TPA, mean PI values were 5.76 ± 2.78 preoperatively, 7.17 ± 3.08 postoperatively. Mean RI values were 0.94 ± 0.04 preoperatively and 0.89 ± 0.05 postoperatively. For DPA, mean PI values were 5.06 ± 2.14 preoperatively and 6.35 ± 2.31 postoperatively. Mean RI values were 0.93 ± 0.05 preoperatively and 0.86 ± 0.06 postoperatively. When the results are analyzed for both of the arteries, PI values were significantly increased; RI values were significantly decreased when the preoperative measurements were compared with the postoperative measurements (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to these results, it can be suggested that the nerve release procedures have a positive effect on the hemodynamic and morphological parameters of the arteries as they pass through the anatomical tunnels as well as its positive effects on the neurological functions of the entrapped nerves.

Flexor digitorum accessorius causing tarsal tunnel syndrome in a paediatric patient: A case report and review of the literature.

The flexor digitorium accessorius muscle is an unusual anatomical variant found in the posteromedial aspect of the hindfoot and ankle. As previously described, its location predisposes patients to developing tarsal tunnel syndrome. This case illustrates the diagnosis, treatment and resolution of tarsal tunnel syndrome in a paediatric patient, secondary to the presence of flexor digitorium accessorius muscle.

A case of acute tarsal tunnel syndrome following lateralizing calcaneal osteotomy.

Surgical correction of hindfoot varus is frequently performed with a lateral displacement calcaneal osteotomy. It has rarely been associated with iatrogenic tarsal tunnel syndrome in patients with pre-existing neurological disease. We report the first case of acute postoperative tarsal tunnel syndrome in a neurologically intact patient with post-traumatic hindfoot varus. Early diagnosis and emergent operative release afforded an excellent clinical outcome. Imaging studies can help outrule a compressive hematoma and assess for possible nerve transection; however it is paramount that a high index of suspicion is utilized with judicious operative intervention to minimize long-term sequelae.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome secondary to schwannoma of the posterior tibial nerve.

Schwannoma is a benign tumor that arises from the peripheral nerve sheath. It presents as a discrete, often tender, and palpable nodule associated with neurogenic pain or paresthesia when compressed or traumatized. The growth rate is usually slow, and these lesions seldom exceed 2 cm in diameter. We report the case of a large schwannoma arising from the posterior tibial nerve located in the posterior medial ankle. The core needle biopsy findings were suggestive of a schwannoma, with spindle cells strongly and uniformly immunostaining for S-100 protein. The mass was marginally excised. The surgical specimen consisted of a grossly encapsulated white-yellow mass with irregular contours, measuring 3.7 × 3.5 × 2.7 cm. The cut surface showed areas of pin-point hemorrhage. The patient did not encounter any motor deficits; however, early results showed some subjective numbness. Few reports have been published of schwannomas arising from the tibial nerve. Marginal excision appears to be the recommended therapy for this tumor, without any evidence of recurrence at 9 months of follow-up.