From the Research
Tarsal tunnel release is a surgical procedure that involves cutting the flexor retinaculum to decompress the posterior tibial nerve and alleviate symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome, as supported by the most recent study 1 from 2024.
Overview of Tarsal Tunnel Release
The procedure is typically performed when conservative treatments have failed to provide relief from symptoms such as pain, numbness, and tingling along the inside of the ankle and into the foot.
- The surgery involves making an incision along the inside of the ankle, identifying and protecting the posterior tibial nerve and its branches, and then dividing the ligament that's causing compression.
- Any other structures contributing to nerve compression, such as cysts, scar tissue, or abnormal blood vessels, may also be removed.
- The procedure typically takes 30-60 minutes and can be performed under general or regional anesthesia.
Recovery and Recommendations
Recovery involves keeping weight off the foot initially, followed by gradual return to activities over 6-12 weeks, as noted in 2 and 3.
- This surgery is generally recommended when conservative treatments like rest, anti-inflammatory medications, orthotics, and corticosteroid injections have failed to provide relief from symptoms, as indicated by 4.
- It's essential to identify the causative factor of the nerve compression and eliminate it to obtain excellent results, as highlighted in 1 and 3.
Considerations and Evidence
While there are various studies on tarsal tunnel syndrome, the most recent and highest quality study 1 provides a comprehensive overview of the anatomy, etiology, diagnosis, and management of the condition.