Background: The aim of this study is to provide a safe ultrasound-guided minimally invasive surgical approach for a proximal tarsal tunnel release concerning nerve entrapments.
Methods and results: The study was carried out on ten fresh-frozen feet. All of them were examined by high resolution ultrasound at the medial ankle region. The surgical approach was marked throughout the course of the flexor retinaculum (laciniate ligament). Once the previous steps were done, the flexor retinaculum release technique was carried out with a 2-mm entry only. As a result, an effective and safe release of the flexor retinaculum was obtained in all fresh-frozen feet.
Conclusion: The results of our anatomic study indicate that our novel ultrasound-guided minimally invasive surgical approach for the release of the flexor retinaculum might be an effective, safe and quick decompression technique treating selected patients with a proximal tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Keywords: Heel pain syndrome; Minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery; Nerve entrapment; Tarsal tunnel syndrome; Ultrasound; Ultrasound-guided.