midtarsal fault with nerve entrapment
by Dawn
I have this problem and have read your explanation of this. Is there any type of surgery that is less invasive than joint fusion (which has been recommended to me)? I am afraid to go ahead with this as it would be involve both feet and the healing time is so long. Do you know of the general outcome of this type of surgery? Any other new treatments available? I had one doctor recommend calf stretching exercise, but I cannot see how that would really help. Hi Dawn, In most cases the pain associated with midtarsal faults is from the over growth of bone at that level of the foot, secondary to too much motion at that joint. Theoretically, if you fuse the joint you eliminate the motion. The problem with eliminating the motion is that you may create other problems; in other words your foot may need that motion in order for the arch to raise and lower when you walk. A more conservative approach would be to have the overgrowth of bone removed without fusing the two bones. This should eliminate the pain but of course with the continued movement of the two bones one could argue the bony overgrowth may return at some point down the road (5..10...15 years down the road). So in conjunction with the surgery you would also have to wear orthotics in an effort to eliminate the excess motion of the involved joint. If you have a tight achilles tendon, calf stretching theoretically would help, but the reality is you cannot stretch your calf muscles enough to make a difference. Marc Mitnick DPM
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