[Etiology, diagnosis and therapy of tarsal tunnel syndrome--results of a retrospective study].

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a rare entrapment neuropathy of the posterior tibial nerve. The compression of the nerve behind the medial ankle should be distinguished from that of the more distal compression syndrome of the plantar nerves, because of different anatomic conditions and pathogenesis. The patient's history is of special diagnostic value. The most impressive clinical finding is tenderness of the nerve. Neurological deficits must be searched for. Decompression by cutting the flexor retinaculum and neurolysis is advised. 77% of the 30 patients having undergone this operation were satisfied with the results.