• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.139-152
• /
• 2017

Objectives : This study reports the clinical effects of miniscalpel needle therapy in patients with carpal tunnel or tarsal tunnel syndrome. Methods : Three patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) (first case, patient with CTS and TTS; second case, patient with CTS; and third case, patient with TTS) were treated with miniscalpel needle (MSN) therapy and integrative Korean medical treatment. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS), Boston scale score, and AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) ankle-hindfoot score were measured. Results : In general, outcome measures after treatment showed improvement in all cases. In the first case (CTS and TTS), scores on the NRS, NPS, and Boston scale decreased, and AOFAS ankle-hind foot scores increased. In addition, Tinel's sign showed improvement. In the second case (CTS), scores on the NRS, NPS, and Boston scale, and Tinel's sign, were decreased. In the third case (TTS), scores on the NRS and NPS, and Tinel's sign, showed improvement, and AOFAS ankle-hind foot scores were increased. Conclusion : These results suggest that MSN therapy has a meaningful clinical effect in CTS and TTS.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.74-77
• /
• 2013

Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is an entrapment neuropathy of the posterior tibial nerve or one of its branches within the tarsal tunnel, and is often caused by ganglia, lipoma, accessory muscles, varicosities, neural tumours, trauma and systemic diseases. We have successfully treated a patient with tarsal tunnel syndrome which was associated with os sustentaculi.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.87-92
• /
• 2011

Background: Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is an entrapment neuropathy that occurs in the ankle. Previous studies reported that this disease was due to physiologic factors and structural lesions in the ankle or foot. The authors investigated the causative factors of TTS and their frequency via operative findings. The diagnostic value of MRI was also evaluated based on the concordance between the operative findings and the MRI findings. Methods: This study was performed in retrospective by using medical record of the patients who underwent operations with TTS from August 2003 to May 2010. Physical examination, nerve conduction study, and MRI were conducted on patients who visited department of neurology or orthopedic surgery due to pain and sensory abnormality of their ankle and foot. Results: 34 patients underwent the operation. Ganglion accounted for the largest portion of the operative findings. In addition, varicose veins, intrinsic foot muscle hypertrophy, tenosynovitis, and fascia thickening were mainly observed. Of the 34 patients, 33 patients underwent pre-operative MRI, of whom 18 patients showed MRI findings consistent with the operative findings. Conclusions: Space-occupying lesions accounted for the majority of the causative factors in TTS patients who underwent the surgical treatment. In this study, the MRI appeared useful for identifying causes of TTS.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.31-37
• /
• 2011

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) are thought to share a similar pathophysiology, compression of the median and plantar nerve by the carpal tunnel and flexor retinaculum. A few reports introduced the relationship between idiopathic CTS and TTS without definite evidence of coexistence. The current study was designed to analyze the electrophysiologic characteristics of combined idiopathic CTS and TTS by comparing with each idiopathic CTS or TTS. Methods: We retrospectively collected patients with combined idiopathic CTS and TTS (CTS-TTS group) from June 2001 to February 2009. Patients with each idiopathic CTS or TTS were collected as controls. Electrophysiologic data of median and plantar nerves were compared between CTS-TTS group and controls. Results: CTS-TTS group was composed of 31 patients. Control group of each CTS or TTS were 50 CTS and 49 TTS patients. In comparison of median nerve conduction study between CTS-TTS group and CTS control group, decreased compound muscle action potential amplitude (p<0.001), decreased median sensory nerve action potential amplitude (p<0.001) and sensory nerve conduction velocity at finger stimulation (p=0.013) were prominent in CTS-TTS group. Decreased medial plantar sensory nerve action potential amplitude (p=0.034) was indicated when CTS-TTS groups and TTS control group were compared. Conclusions: If the electrophysiology study of patients with CTS or TTS was suggestive of severe degree of nerve injury, concerns about the possibility of combined CTS and TTS would be helpful.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.146-151
• /
• 2006

Background: Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is an entrapment neuropathy of the tibial nerve within fibrous tunnel on the medial side of the ankle. The most common cause of TTS is idiopathic. This is a retrospective study to define the electrophysiological characteristics of idiopathic TTS. Methods: We reviewed the medical and electrophysiological records of consecutive patients with foot sensory symptoms referred to electromyography laboratory. Inclusion of patients was based on clinical findings suggestive of TTS. Among them, patients with any other possible causes of sensory symptoms on the foot were excluded. Control data were obtained from 19 age-matched people with no sensory symptoms or signs. Routine motor and sensory nerve conduction study (NCS) including medial plantar nerve (MPN) using surface electrodes were performed. Result: Twenty one patients (13 women, 8 men, 9 unilateral, 12 bilateral) were enrolled to have idiopathic TTS (total 31 feet). Tinel's sign was positive in 16 feet (51.6%) of TTS and four feet (10.5%) in control group. The statistically significant electrophysiological parameter was difference of sensory conduction velocity (SCV) between sural nerve and MPN. Amplitude of sensory nerve action potential and SCV of MPN were not different significantly between idiopathic TTS feet and controls. Conclusion: Bilateral development in idiopathic TTS was more common. Tinel's sign and difference of SCV between sural nerve and MPN may be helpful for the diagnosis of idiopathic TTS.