Anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome: a misunderstood and a misleading entrapment neuropathy

Neurol Sci. 2014 May;35(5):773-5. doi: 10.1007/s10072-013-1601-8. Epub 2013 Dec 12.

Abstract

Anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome (ATTS) is a rare entrapment neuropathy of the deep peroneal nerve beneath the extensor retinaculum on the top of the ankle. ATTS is often asymptomatic or olygosymptomatic. There are few reports describing the ATTS. We describe the clinical and electrophysiological features of 85 patients with unilateral or bilateral ATTS prospectively collected between January 2000 and December 2010 in our laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology. This entrapment neuropathy remains poorly diagnosed and it might be misleading when performing a diagnostic EMG-ENG examination for suspected polyneuropathy or lumbosacral radiculopathy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electromyography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Conduction
  • Peroneal Nerve / physiopathology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome / physiopathology*