There is a disorder called a tarsal coalition where two of the bones in the tarsal region (rearfoot) in the feet are abnormally merged with each other. The tarsal area of the foot includes seven bones referred to as tarsal bones, that are located between your lower leg bones (tibia and fibula) and also the bones of the forefoot (metatarsals). A tarsal coalition most frequently affects the bones called the talus and calcaneus and sometimes the navicular. The fusion involving these bones may be a fibrous soft tissue in which there can be a bridge of fibrous tissue that link up the two bones. The union may be osseous where there is a bony connection fusing the 2 bones. This union between the bones limits the normal movement and flexibility of the joints that are affected producing a variety of different symptoms depending on the bones which might be affected. A tarsal coalition is frequently not detected early in kids as the foot can be still very flexible, but around the adolescent years the symptoms start to appear. The actual reasons behind these kinds of tarsal coalitions are not fully understood, however it is thought to be a hereditary condition, meaning that it's been present from birth. Sometimes, in adults, the tarsal coalition may result from trauma or osteo-arthritis.
Often, the frequent symptoms connected with a tarsal coalition are generally somewhat vague and may include pain in the region that may be often initially difficult to track down at one joint amongst the affected bones. That discomfort will generally become worse with increased activity and get better with the help of rest. You will see a stiffness and limited capability to move with the joint or joints that happen to be impacted. The coalition might result in tiredness or muscle cramping within the affected lower leg or foot. There may be an irregular gait or walking pattern like a limp. There could also be an position issue such as a pronated or higher arch foot problems could manifest. The ultimate diagnosis of tarsal coalition is generally made by way of a combination of clinical symptoms and history of the symptoms and after that imaging reports for example X-rays or perhaps a CT scan. This imaging will show the actual irregular bony fusion or fibrous connection between the tarsal bones.
The therapy for tarsal coalition will depend on the severity of symptoms and also the impact that they have on daily activities. Non-surgical strategies tend to be attempted first and include the stopping physical activities that intensify symptoms or cause pain. Foot orthotic devices provides support and reduce excessive mobility within the fused joints. Stretching out and building up exercises can help improve joint mobility of the other joints around the impacted areas. If the pain is especially problematic, then nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug treatments (NSAIDs) could be used to minimize inflammation and pain. When these types of methods tend not to give adequate relief and it's also serious next surgical intervention could be contemplated. The objective of the surgery is to separate the merged bones by removing the bridge between them to try to restore usual joint movements.
