Tarsal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy in rheumatoid disease

Thirty patients with classical or definite rheumatoid disease (RD) with foot pain and radiologically demonstrated erosions were studied electrodiagnostically to ascertain the frequency of the tarsal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy. Four patients (13.3%) had evidence of the tarsal tunnel syndrome. The electrical abnormalities were mild and unassociated with specific clinical features. Two patients (6.6%) had evidence of sensory peripheral neuropathy. There may be an appreciable frequency of clinically unsuspected tarsal tunnel syndrome in RD.