Fact-sheet: Sinus tarsi syndrome
Updated on 09/01/2022 at 5:04 PM
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Definition
The tarsal sinus is a cone-shaped canal located between the neck of the talus and the anterosuperior aspect of the calcaneus.
This space contains fatty tissue, ligamentous
and retinacular structures, vascular
anastomoses, a bursa, and nerve endings from the fibular nerve.
Includes the cervical ligament, the interosseous talocalcaneal ligament, the ligament of the tarsal canal, and the posterior capsular ligament
Clinical features
Sinus tarsi syndrome presents with pain below and anterior to the lateral malleolus, typically over the lateral orifice of the tarsal sinus.
Radiography
Bony avulsions at the ligamentous insertion sites
Ultrasound
Changes in echogenicity of the tarsal sinus fat, bony avulsions, and abnormal thickness of the lateral root of the inferior extensor retinaculum.
MRI
- signal abnormalities of the fatty tissue
- subtalar capsulosynovial abnormalities
- partial or complete tears of the
interosseous talocalcaneal and cervical ligaments
- arthrosynovial cysts arising from
the posterior subtalar joint
- retinacular lesions
Management
- correction of predisposing factors (static disorders, etc.)
- local corticosteroid infiltration via the lateral orifice of the sinus
- proprioceptive rehabilitation
- symptomatic management