Tarsal tunnel syndrome: review of the literature

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is defined as entrapment of the posterior tibial nerve at the level of the ankle. The syndrome has been associated with traumatic inflammatory etiologies. The diagnosis is made clinically by the presence of dysesthesia in the distribution of the medial and lateral plantar nerves, a positive Tinel's sign, paresthesias with compression of the nerve at the tarsal tunnel, tenderness of the nerve along its course (Valleix Phenomenon), and sensory or motor changes. Most authors suggest surgical decompression for the treatment of tarsal tunnel syndrome. The purpose of this review is to summarize the etiologies of tarsal tunnel found in the literature, to evaluate the current role of electrodiagnosis in the diagnosis of tarsal tunnel syndrome and to examine the results of treatment modalities presented.