Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Key Considerations When Targeting a Heel Spur

Heel spur is a common medical condition that can cause substantial discomfort and reduce the quality of life of the affected patients. When seeking treatment for a heel spur, it is important to consider the differential diagnoses and underlying medical conditions that may contribute to the symptoms. This manuscript aims to explore several distinctive diagnostic possibilities, essential factors to consider, and practical strategies for managing heel spurs. This paper explains the common differential diagnoses and addresses medical conditions related to heel spurs. The importance of accurate diagnosis in planning treatment protocol is highlighted. In addition, we explain treatment strategies, including preventive measures, conservative treatments, and more advanced procedures. Physicians can help relieve pain and improve the quality of life of the affected individuals by considering the diverse aspects of managing heel spurs.

Tortuosity and Pulsatility of the Tibial Artery - Two Case Reports of a Rare Etiology of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a neuropathic compression of the tibial nerve and its branches on the medial side of the ankle. It is a challenging diagnosis that constitutes symptoms arising from damage to the posterior tibial nerve or its branches as they proceed through the tarsal tunnel below the flexor retinaculum in the medial ankle, easily forgotten and underdiagnosed. Neural compression by vascular structures has been suggested as a possible etiology in some clinical conditions. Tibial artery tortuosity is not that rare, but only that it affects the nerve can cause tarsal tunnel syndrome. Therefore, a study care must be taken to avoid false-positive errors.

Previously Unreported Case of Variant Posterior Tibial Vein Forming a Loop Adjacent to the Posterior Tibial Artery

The posterior tibial vein (PTV) is formed distally by the medial and lateral plantar veins and ends proximally at the joining with the peroneal vein. Variations of the PTV can result in unique clinical presentations. Such variations at the proximal location have been classified previously, but few have been identified distally. In an adult male cadaver, we identified a unilateral distal PTV variation that bifurcated posterior to the medial malleolus. This bifurcation rejoined inferiorly to the medial malleolus and formed a loop that was transected by the posterior tibial artery from deep to superficial. Although this PTV variation is rare, we believe it could be clinically significant for tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) and catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Such anatomical variations should be documented and added to clinical databases to improve patient outcomes and diagnostic techniques.