Surgical Treatment of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Background and aim

To assess the long-term functional outcomes of operative treatment for tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) and determine the factors that are associated with favorable and unfavorable clinical results.

Patients and methods

Sixty six patients (71 feet) who had undergone tarsal tunnel release (TTR) operation between 2000 and 2009 were recalled for a follow-up evaluation by a physiatrist to determine the outcome. The subjective complaints of the patients were re-evaluated using two different questionnaires: the foot function index (FFI) and a structured questionnaire.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 51.67 ± 13.07 (range 21–84) years. The mean follow-up time was 54.36 ± 15.72 (range 12–96) months. Outcomes in terms of patient satisfaction were 45.1%—very satisfied (VS), 16.9%—moderately satisfied (MS), 19.7%—somewhat satisfied (SS), and 18.3%—not satisfied. Prognostic indicators of poor results in univariate analysis were older age, obesity, longer disease duration, coexisting lower back pain (LBP), plantar fasciitis, diabetes mellitus (DM), and/or carpal tunnel syndrome (all p 0.05).

Conclusion

LBP and DM were the most significant factors associated with unfavorable clinical results. The majority of the patients’ symptoms improved following TTR operation.

How to cite this article

Gulcek M, Aydin N, et al. Surgical Treatment of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. J Foot Ankle Surg (Asia-Pacific) 2019;6(1): 13-17.