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Lopes JG, Rodrigues-Pinho A, Neves MA, Pinto FF, Relvas-Silva M, Vital L, Serdoura F, Nogueira-Sousa A, Madeira MD, Pereira PA. An anatomical approach to the tarsal tunnel syndrome: what can ankle's medial side anatomy reveal to us? J Foot Ankle Res 2023; 16:80. [PMID: 37957735 PMCID: PMC10644421 DOI: 10.1186/s13047-023-00682-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The heel is a complex anatomical region and is very often the source of pain complaints. The medial heel contains a number of structures, capable of compressing the main nerves of the region and knowing its anatomical topography is mandatory. The purpose of this work is to evaluate if tibial nerve (TN) and its main branches relate to the main anatomical landmarks of the ankle's medial side and if so, do they have a regular path after emerging from TN. METHODS The distal part of the legs, ankles and feet of 12 Thiel embalmed cadavers were dissected. The pattern of the branches of the TN was registered and the measurements were performed according to the Dellon-McKinnon malleolar-calcaneal line (DML) and the Heimkes Triangle (HT). RESULTS The TN divided proximal to DML in 87.5%, on top of the DML in 12,5% and distal in none of the feet. The Baxter's nerve (BN) originated proximally in 50%, on top of the DML in 12,5% and distally in 37.5% of the cases. There was a strong and significant correlation between the length of DML and the distance from the center of the medial malleolus (MM) to the lateral plantar nerve (LPN), medial plantar (MPN) nerve, BN and Medial Calcaneal Nerve (MCN) (ρ: 0.910, 0.866, 0.970 and 0.762 respectively, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In our sample the TN divides distal to DML in none of the cases. We also report a strong association between ankle size and the distribution of the MPN, LPN, BN and MCN. We hypothesize that location of these branches on the medial side of the ankle could be more predictable if we take into consideration the distance between the MM and the medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Gomes Lopes
- Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit; São João University Hospital Center, Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
| | - André Rodrigues-Pinho
- Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit; São João University Hospital Center, Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Abreu Neves
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipe Fonseca Pinto
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel Relvas-Silva
- Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit; São João University Hospital Center, Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luísa Vital
- Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit; São João University Hospital Center, Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisco Serdoura
- Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit; São João University Hospital Center, Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - António Nogueira-Sousa
- Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit; São João University Hospital Center, Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Dulce Madeira
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
- NeuroGen Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450, Porto, Portugal
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Alberto Pereira
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
- NeuroGen Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450, Porto, Portugal
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
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Meng S, Platzgummer H, Loizides A, Chang KV, Gruber H. Ultrasound of Small Nerves. ULTRASCHALL IN DER MEDIZIN (STUTTGART, GERMANY : 1980) 2022; 43:12-33. [PMID: 35135017 DOI: 10.1055/a-1495-5294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nerve ultrasound has become an integral part of the diagnostic workup of peripheral neuropathies. Especially in the examination of small nerves, ultrasound provides superior image quality by using high frequency transducers. For a selection of small nerves, this article summarizes the local anatomy and common pathologies and offers simple instructions for determining their location with ultrasound including some cases with pathologies. This selection of nerves comprises the great auricular nerve, the supraclavicular nerves, the suprascapular nerve, the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve, the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve, the long thoracic nerve, the intercostobrachial nerve, the posterior cutaneous nerve, the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve, the medial calcaneal nerve, and the deep peroneal nerve at the ankle. Following our recommendations, these nerves can be swiftly located and tracked along their course to the site of the pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Meng
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
- Radiology, Hanusch-Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hannes Platzgummer
- Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Loizides
- Department of Radiology, Innsbruck Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ke-Vin Chang
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, NTUH, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hannes Gruber
- Department of Radiology, Innsbruck Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
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An Anatomical Basis for the Myofascial Trigger Points of the Abductor Hallucis Muscle. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:9240581. [PMID: 32076620 PMCID: PMC6998759 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9240581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Myofascial pain syndrome is characterized by pain and a limited range of joint motion caused by muscle contracture related to motor-end-plate dysfunction and the presence of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). It is the most frequent cause of musculoskeletal pain, with a worldwide prevalence varying between 13.7% and 47%. Of the patients with myofascial pain syndrome, approximately 17% have pain in the medial hindfoot area. The abductor hallucis muscle is located in the medial, posterior region of the foot and is related to painful plantar syndromes. The objective of this study was to describe the distribution of the medial plantar nerve and their anatomical relationship with MTrPs found in the literature. Thirty abductor hallucis muscles were dissected from 15 human cadavers (8 males and 7 females). The muscles were measured, and the distribution data of the medial plantar nerve branches in each quadrant were recorded. For statistical analysis, we used generalized estimation equations with a Poisson distribution and a log logarithm function followed by Bonferroni multiple comparisons of the means. The data are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation. The level of significance was adjusted to 5% (p < 0.05). A high concentration of nerve branches was observed in the first quadrant (Q1) of the abductor hallucis muscle, which is the same area in which the MTrPs are described. The topography of the entry points of the branches of the medial plantar nerve to the abductor hallucis muscle correlates with the topography of the muscular trigger points. The anatomical structure of the MTrPs may be useful for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of myofascial disorders and provide a basis for surgical and clinical treatments.
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Koo GB, Lee JH, Jang JH, Song IH, Kim JY. Superficial course of the medial plantar nerve: case report. Anat Cell Biol 2019; 52:87-89. [PMID: 30984458 PMCID: PMC6449595 DOI: 10.5115/acb.2019.52.1.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The medial and lateral plantar nerves are branched from the tibial nerve and move to the tip of the toes. A variation of medial plantar nerve was found on the left side of a 78-year-old Korean male cadaver. The tibial nerve was divided into the lateral and medial plantar nerves beneath the plantar flexor. The medial plantar nerve passed deep to plantar aponeurosis and superficial to the flexor digitorum brevis. It gave off a common plantar digital nerve and then divided into three proper plantar digital nerves near the metatarsal bases. In this article, we report a superficial course of the medial plantar nerve and describe its unique morphology and discuss the clinical significance of this variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gil-Bon Koo
- Department of Anatomy, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Jae-Ho Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Ji-Hoon Jang
- Department of Anatomy, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - In-Hwan Song
- Department of Anatomy, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Joo-Young Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
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Develi S. Trifurcation of the tibial nerve within the tarsal tunnel. Surg Radiol Anat 2017; 40:529-532. [PMID: 29177688 DOI: 10.1007/s00276-017-1948-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The tibial nerve is the larger terminal branch of the sciatic nerve and it terminates in the tarsal tunnel by giving lateral and medial plantar nerves. We present a rare case of trifurcation of the tibial nerve within the tarsal tunnel. The variant nerve curves laterally after branching from the tibial nerve and courses deep to quadratus plantae muscle. Interestingly, posterior tibial artery was also terminating by giving three branches. These branches were accompanying the terminal branches of the tibial nerve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedat Develi
- Department of Anatomy, Gulhane Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, 06018, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey.
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Kurashige T. Hypertrophy of the abductor hallucis muscle: A case report and review of the literature. SAGE Open Med Case Rep 2017; 5:2050313X17727638. [PMID: 28890786 PMCID: PMC5574474 DOI: 10.1177/2050313x17727638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Muscle hypertrophy is a relatively rare condition that may cause nerve entrapment syndromes. We report the case of a 14-year-old girl with unilateral hypertrophy of the abductor hallucis muscle with entrapment of the medial plantar nerve and review the literature. Methods: Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed unilateral hypertrophy of the abductor hallucis muscle. Results: Two injections of steroid and lidocaine at the point of tenderness resulted in resolution of the pain. Conclusions: We report a rare case of hypertrophy of the abductor hallucis muscle considered with entrapment of the medial plantar nerve. Treatment of this condition should be selected according to the pathological condition of each patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshinori Kurashige
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chiba Aiyukai Memorial Hospital, Nagareyama, Japan
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Mansfield CJ, Bleacher J, Tadak P, Briggs MS. Differential examination, diagnosis and management for tingling in toes: fellow's case problem. J Man Manip Ther 2016; 25:294-299. [PMID: 29449772 DOI: 10.1080/10669817.2016.1260675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The diagnosis of chronic exertional compartment syndrome can be challenging as other pathologies involving bone, muscle, nerve and vascular structures can mimic the syndrome. The purpose of this Fellow's Case Problem is to describe the clinical decision-making and physical therapy differential diagnosis regarding a 25-year-old patient with un-resolved neurovascular complaints following chronic exertional compartment syndrome surgical release. Diagnosis After surgery, the patient's previous complaint of numbness and tingling in the plantar surfaces of her first and second toes of right foot was still present. The patient's concordant symptoms in toes were reproduced proximally in the lumbar spine and distally in the tarsal tunnel. Discussion The lumbar spine can refer symptoms to the lower extremities and needs to be ruled out as the source of the patient's complaint whenever neurovascular symptoms such as numbness and tingling are present. The discovery of the relationship of the lumbar spine with the tingling in the toes addressed one of the patient's primary concerns that was not resolved from the surgery. Level of Evidence 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody J Mansfield
- Orthopaedic Manual Therapy Fellowship, OSU Spots Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jake Bleacher
- Orthopaedic Manual Therapy Fellowship, OSU Spots Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Paul Tadak
- Orthopaedic Manual Therapy Fellowship, OSU Spots Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Matthew S Briggs
- Orthopaedic Manual Therapy Fellowship, OSU Spots Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.,Sports Medicine Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.,Department of Orthopaedics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
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Manske MC, McKeon KE, McCormick JJ, Johnson JE, Klein SE. Arterial Anatomy of the Posterior Tibial Nerve in the Tarsal Tunnel. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2016; 98:499-504. [PMID: 26984918 DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.15.00787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both vascular and compression etiologies have been proposed as the source of neurologic symptoms in tarsal tunnel syndrome. Advancing the understanding of the arterial anatomy supplying the posterior tibial nerve (PTN) and its branches may provide insight into the cause of tarsal tunnel symptoms. The purpose of this study was to describe the arterial anatomy of the PTN and its branches. METHODS Sixty adult cadaveric lower extremities (thirty previously frozen and thirty fresh specimens) were amputated distal to the knee. The vascular supply to the PTN and its branches was identified, measured, and described macroscopically (the thirty previously frozen specimens, prepared using a formerly described debridement technique) and microscopically (the thirty fresh specimens, processed using the Spälteholz technique). RESULTS On both macroscopic and microscopic evaluation, the PTN and the medial and lateral plantar nerves were observed to have multiple entering vessels within the tarsal tunnel. On microscopic evaluation, a vessel was observed to enter the nerve at the bifurcation of the PTN into the medial and lateral plantar nerves in twenty-two (73%) of the thirty specimens. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in vascular density between the PTN and each of its branches. CONCLUSIONS The abundant blood supply to the PTN and its branches identified in this study is consistent with observations of other peripheral nerves. This rich vascular network may render the PTN and its branches susceptible to nerve compression related to vascular congestion. The combination of vascular and structural compression may also elicit neurologic symptoms. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Advancing the understanding of the arterial anatomy supplying the PTN and its branches may provide insight into the cause and treatment of tarsal tunnel syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Claire Manske
- Department of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Kathleen E McKeon
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Jeremy J McCormick
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jeffrey E Johnson
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Sandra E Klein
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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Role of ultrasound in posteromedial tarsal tunnel syndrome: 81 cases. J Ultrasound 2014; 17:99-112. [PMID: 24883135 DOI: 10.1007/s40477-014-0082-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Posteromedial tarsal tunnel syndrome is a disorder affecting the tibial nerve or its branches. Diagnosis is established on the basis of physical examination and can be confirmed by electrophysiological evidence. However, diagnostic imaging is always required to identify the possible site of compression. High-resolution ultrasound (US) is playing an increasingly important role in the study of the nerves thanks to a series of advantages over magnetic resonance imaging, such as lower costs and widespread availability, high spatial resolution, fast examination using axial scans, dynamic and comparative studies, possibility of carrying out a study with the patient in the standing position, US Tinel sign finding, and the contribution of color/power Doppler US. We present the results obtained in a series of 81 patients who underwent US imaging between 2008 and 2013 due to posteromedial tarsal tunnel syndrome.
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