What is a Tarsal Coalition?
A tarsal coalition is a condition characterized by an abnormal connection between two or more bones in the hindfoot (also known as the tarsal bones). This abnormal connection can be made up of bone, cartilage, or fibrous tissue and can cause stiffness and a limited range of motion in the affected foot.
Causes and Symptoms of a Tarsal Coalition:
Tarsal coalition is often present from birth, but not cause symptoms until later in a patient’s life, such as during adolescence or early adulthood. Common symptoms of tarsal coalition include:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Flatfoot deformity
Tarsal coalition can also lead to an increased risk of developing arthritis in the affected joint over time.
Diagnosis for Tarsal Coalition:
CT scans are the most used imaging tool to diagnose tarsal coalition. MRI scans may be ordered in certain cases of the condition to provide further information on the soft tissues and bones in the affected area. Following your diagnostic imaging, your doctor will receive and interpret your results, and come up with a treatment plan best suited to you.
Treatment for a Tarsal Coalition:
A diagnosis for tarsal coalition is typically made through various methods of physical examination, like imaging. X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and bone scans are all routes your healthcare provider may explore to get a better idea of the affected area and make an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment for tarsal coalition may begin with conservative efforts, such as:
- Orthotics
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medications to manage symptoms
In more severe cases of tarsal coalition where a patient’s condition is not responding to conservative treatment options, surgical intervention may be recommended to remove the abnormality in bone connections or further fuse the affected joint. The goal of these surgeries to relieve pain and improve the function of the hindfoot.