title: Tarsal coalition in adults.
abstract: 32 feet in 27 adults, seen at The Johns Hopkins Hospital Foot and Ankle Clinic from 1993-1998, with the diagnosis of tarsal coalition were retrospectively reviewed. There were 18 subtalar coalitions, 14 calcaneonavicular coalitions and 1 naviculocuneiform coalition. The average age was 40 years. Clinically, 22 feet had a neutral heel, 7 had a valgus heel with flattening of the longitudinal arch, 1 had a varus heel and 2 heels had an unknown position. Subtalar motion was decreased in 23 feet. Peroneal spasm was only seen in 2 patients. 11 feet were asymptomatic. Nonoperative treatment consisting of activity modification, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and casting was successful in the majority of patients. Subtalar fusion was performed in 4 feet and coalition resection in 1. The treatment of a symptomatic tarsal coalition in the adult is as in children but the clinical presentation may differ.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Varner
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Michelson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005532:Foot Deformities, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013639:Tarsal Bones / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013640:Tarsal Joints / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed