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Tarsal coalitions. A new surgical procedure
Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Tarsal coalition, a congenital fusion of foot bones, causes pain and flatfoot in adolescents. Treatment ranges from conservative methods to surgical interventions like excision or arthrodesis for effective symptom relief.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Podiatry
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Background:
- Tarsal coalition is a congenital fusion of two or more tarsal bones.
- Symptoms typically manifest in early adolescence, impacting foot function and causing pain.
Observation:
- Common symptoms include aching rearfoot pain aggravated by activity, progressive flatfoot deformity, reduced tarsal joint mobility, and occasional peroneal muscle spasms.
- Asymptomatic cases require no intervention.
Findings:
- Conservative treatment is the initial approach for symptomatic individuals.
- Surgical options include calcaneonavicular coalition excision with extensor digitorum brevis interposition and talocalcaneal middle facet coalition resection with implant arthroplasty.
- Triple arthrodesis remains the preferred surgical method for coalitions with associated degenerative changes in the subtalar and midtarsal joints.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis and appropriate management of tarsal coalition are crucial for preventing long-term foot deformities and pain.
- Tailored surgical interventions can restore function and alleviate pain in complex cases.
- Understanding treatment algorithms ensures optimal outcomes for patients with tarsal coalition.