November 2023

There is a problem known as a tarsal coalition in which a couple of the bones in the tarsal area (rearfoot) in the foot are abnormally fused together. That tarsal area of the foot contains 7 bones called the tarsal bones, which are located between the leg bones (tibia and fibula) and the bones of the front foot (metatarsals). A tarsal coalition most often involves the bones referred to as talus and calcaneus and infrequently the navicular bone. The fusion in between these bones may be a fibrous soft tissues in which there can be a bridge of fibrous tissue which link the 2 bones. The combination may also be osseous where there is a bony bridge merging the 2 bones. This fusion between your bones restricts the normal movement and flexibility with the joints that are impacted resulting in a range of different signs and symptoms depending on the bones which are involved. A tarsal coalition is frequently not detected early in youngsters as the foot can be still really flexible, but around the teenage years the signs and symptoms start to appear. The actual causes of these kinds of tarsal coalitions are not totally understood, however it's thought to be a genetic condition, meaning that it's been existing from birth. Sometimes, in adults, the tarsal coalition may be a consequence of injury or osteo-arthritis.

Typically, the frequent symptoms related to a tarsal coalition can be fairly vague and will include pain in the area that may be frequently at first difficult to track down at one joint between the affected bones. That pain will usually exacerbate with additional exercise and get much better with rest. You will have a rigidity and reduced capability to move around the joint or joints which can be impacted. This coalition might cause fatigue or muscle aches from the affected leg or foot. There might be an abnormal gait or walking sequence like a limp. There may also be an alignment concern for example a flatfoot or high-arched foot problems could develop. The ultimate proper diagnosis of tarsal coalition is usually made by having a mixture of clinical symptoms and history of the symptoms and then imaging studies such as X-rays or a CT scan. The imaging will demonstrate the unnatural bony union or fibrous connection between the actual tarsal bones.

The therapy for tarsal coalition would depend on the seriousness of signs and symptoms as well as the impact they have on everyday living. Non-surgical methods tend to be tried first and include the avoiding exercises that worsen symptoms or hurt. Foot orthotic inserts will offer support and reduce excessive mobility in the fused joints. Stretching and strengthening exercises can help increase joint mobility with the other joints round the impacted areas. If the pain is especially problematic, after that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) may be used to reduce pain and swelling. If these kinds of steps do not give sufficient relief and it's also serious next surgical treatment can be contemplated. The objective of the surgical procedures are to separate the merged bones by taking off the bridge in between the joint to try to recover typical joint movements.