Bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by varicosities

The authors present a case report of bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome occurring in a 39-year-old, slightly overweight female with a long history of varicose veins of her legs. Symptomatology suggestive of tarsal tunnel syndrome was present over the left heel. Vein stripping was done on both legs. When the burning discomfort at the inner aspect of the left heel continued in spite of the strippings, she presented at our Foot Clinic. Surgery on the left heel revealed varicosities overlying the medial and lateral plantar nerves near their origin, and removal of these resulted in prompt relief of her complaints. Nine months later and 10 months following the venous stripping of her right leg, medial right heel pain, burning, paresthesias, and a positive Tinel sign appeared over the inner aspect of her right heel. There was prompt subsidence of these complaints when again varicosities were found and removed.