Tarsal Coalition

Description

Mr Donatas Chlebinskas give his insights into tarsal coalitions which are a rare condition affecting 1% to 2% of the population, resulting from the failure of segmentation of the primitive mesenchymal tissues. The calcaneal navicular coalition is the most common form, accounting for 45% to 53% of cases, followed by talocalcaneal coalitions which can lead to symptoms such as lateral foot pain, recurrent ankle sprains, and perineal spasms. Typically, rigid flatfoot symptoms emerge between the ages of 8 and 12 as the ossification of the fibrocartilaginous coalition occurs, causing a significant loss of flexibility. Many cases do not respond to non-operative treatments, necessitating surgical intervention, which includes the excision of the coalition with interposition.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-251128

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