Tarsal Coalition Treatment Bankstown NSW
What Is Tarsal Coalition?
Tarsal coalition is a condition where 2 or more bones in the middle or rear of your child’s foot are joined together. This is a congenital condition, meaning that it is normally detected at birth but does not present until early adolescence.
The bones in the foot fuse together because of the absence of fully developed cartilage and joints or because the bones of their feet fail to separate when they are in the womb. You may even notice that your child has a progressively flat foot as they mature.
Signs & Symptoms of Tarsal Coalition
Signs and symptoms include a painful and stiff foot, muscle spasms, flat feet and a decreased range of motion. Pain will often occur just below the fibula on the outside of the foot. This is because the two most common forms of tarsal coalition are a fusing of the two bones in the upper/mid portion of your foot. Overall, tarsal coalition is a rare disorder affecting only about 1 in 100 people.
Tarsal Coalition Treatment
There are both non-surgical and surgical treatments available, non-surgical treatments can include the use of a brace to reduce swelling and pain and designing a custom orthotic for everyday wear. Surgery options seek to either separate or fuse the bones.
If you are concerned about your child suffering from tarsal coalition, let us put your mind at ease. At Bankstown Podiatry Clinic, our team of experienced podiatrists can help with this and a range of conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Tarsal Coalition Surgery?: The type of surgery recommended will depend on the size and location of the coalition and whether the joints show signs of arthritis. A resection procedure is the most common type of surgery for tarsal coalition. It preserves normal foot motion and relieves symptoms in patients who do not show signs of arthritis by removing the coalition and replacing it with muscle or fatty tissue from another area of the body. A fusion procedure, used for larger, more severe coalitions, involves placing the bones in the proper position and holding them in place using screws, pins or screw and plate devices.
What Causes Tarsal Coalition?: In most cases, tarsal coalition begins before birth, caused by a gene mutation that affects the cells that produce the tarsal bones.
How Common Is Tarsal Coalition?: Tarsal coalition is quite a rare condition and affected approximately 1 out of every 100 people.
Is Tarsal Coalition Genetic?: Tarsal coalition is a genetic condition that can be passed down from parent to child. Tarsal coalition is not associated with any other medical problems.