Tarsal Coalition

Tarsal coalition is a bone condition that causes decreased motion or absence of motion in one or more of the joints in the foot. The bones found at the top of the arch, the heel, and the ankle are referred to as the tarsal bones. A tarsal coalition is an abnormal connection between two of the tarsal bones in the back of the foot or the arch. This abnormal connection between two bones is most commonly an inherited trait.

The lack of motion or absence of motion experienced in a tarsal coalition is caused by abnormal bone, cartilage, or fibrous tissue growth across a joint. When excess bone has grown across a joint, it may result in restricted or a complete lack of motion in that joint. Cartilage or fibrous tissue growth can restrict motion of the affected joint to varying degrees, causing pain in the affected joint and/or in surrounding joints.

Symptoms usually include an aching sensation deep in the foot near the ankle or arch, accompanied by muscle spasms on the outside of the affected leg. Nonsurgical treatments, such as corrective shoes or custom orthotics, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication, are the first courses of action. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications. Surgery is sometimes performed in severe cases to allow for more normal motion between the bones or to fuse the affected joint or surrounding joints.

What is a Podiatrist?
When To Call a Doctor
Foot Problems
- General Statistics
- Achilles Problems
  - Achilles Tendonitis
  - Peroneal Tendon Dislocation/Dysfunction
  - Xanthomas of the Achilles Tendon
- Arch and Ball Problems
  - Flat Feet (over pronation)
  - Metatarsalgia (foot pain in ball)
  - Plantar Fibromas (lumps in the arch of the foot)
  - Sesamoiditis
  - Capsulitis
- Common Foot Injuries
  - Ankle Sprain Injuries
  - Broken Ankle
  - Fractures
  - Osteochondritis (stiff ankle)
  - Osteochondromas
  - Shin Splints
  - Sports Injuries
- Deformities
  - Amniotic Band Syndrome
  - Bunions
  - Claw Toe
  - Clubfoot
  - Dysplasia (Epiphysealis Hemimelica)
  - Enchondroma
  - Flat Feet
  - Gordon Syndrome
  - Haglund’s Deformity
  - Hallux Limitus (Stiff Big Toe Joint)
  - Hallux Rigidus (Stiff Big Toe)
  - Hallux Varus
  - Hammertoes
  - Jackson-Weiss Syndrome
  - Mallet Toes
  - Metatarsalgia
  - Osteomyelitis (Bone Infections)
  - Overlapping or Underlapping Toes
  - Peroneal Tendon Dislocation/Dysfunction
  - Sesamoiditis
  - Spurs
  - Tarsal Coalition
  - Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
- Diabetes and Your Feet
- Diseases of the Foot
  - Arthritis
  - Cancer
  - Freiberg’s Disease
  - Gout
  - Kaposi’s Sarcoma (AIDS related)
  - Kohler’s Disease
  - Maffucci’s Syndrome
  - Ollier’s Disease
  - Raynaud’s Disease
  - Sever’s Disease
  - Sever’s Disease
  - Charcot Foot
- Heel Problems
  - Haglund’s Deformity
  - Heel Callus
  - Heel Fissures
  - Plantar Fasciitis (heel spur)
- Nail Problems
  - Black Toenails
  - Ingrown Toenails
  - Nail Fungus
- Skin Problems
  - Allergies
  - Athlete’s Foot (tinea pedis)
  - Blisters
  - Burning Feet
  - Calluses
  - Corns
  - Cysts
  - Frostbite
  - Fungus
  - Gangrene
  - Lesions
  - Psoriasis
  - Smelly Feet and Foot Odor
  - Swelling
  - Ulcers
  - Warts
- Toe Problems
  - Bunions
  - Claw Toe
  - Digital Deformity
  - Hallux Limitus (stiff big toe joint)
  - Hallux Rigidis (rigid big toe)
  - Hallux Varus
  - Hammertoes
  - Intoeing
  - Overlapping, Underlapping Toes
  - Subungal Exotosis (bone spur under toenail)
  - Turf Toe
- Vascular/Nerve Problems
  - Acrocyanosis
  - Alcoholic Neuropathy
  - Chilblains (cold feet)
  - Erythromelalgia
  - Ischemic Foot
  - Neuroma
  - Spasms
  - Venous Stasis
- Ankle Problems
  - Ankle Sprain
  - Chronic Lateral Ankle Pain
  - Osteochondritis
- Fungus Problems
  - Common Fungal Problems
  - Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)
  - Fungal Nails
Foot Care
- Basic Foot Care Guidelines
- Self-Assessment Quiz
- Athletic Foot Care
- Blisters
- Bunion Prevention
- Burning Feet
- Children’s Feet
- Corns and Calluses
- Diabetic Foot Care
- Foot Care For Seniors
- Fungus Problems
  - Athlete’s Foot
  - Common Fungal Problems
  - Fungal Nails
  - Other Tips
  - Prevention
- Ingrown Nails
- Osteoporosis
- Foot Odor and Smelly Feet
  - Prevention
  - Treating Foot Odor
- Pedicures
- Foot Self-Exam
- Women’s Feet
  - High Heels
  - Pregnancy
  - Stockings?
  - Women Over 65
- Your Feet at Work
- Exercise Those Toes!
Medical Care
- Pain Management
  - General Information and Tips
  - Pain Management for Specific Conditions
- Diagnostic Procedures
  - Computed Tomography
  - MRI
  - Ultrasound
  - X-Rays
- Orthotics
- Surgical Procedures
  - Achilles Surgery
  - Ankle Surgery
  - Arthritis Surgery
  - Arthroscopy
  - Bunion Surgery
  - Cyst Removal
  - Flatfoot Correction
  - General Information
  - Heel Surgery
  - Metatarsal Surgery
  - Nerve Surgery (Neuroma)
  - Toe Surgery
  - Hammertoe Surgery
- Therapies
  - Athlete’s Foot Treatment
  - Cryotherapy
  - Extracorporeal Shock Wave
  - Neurolysis
  - Physical Therapy
  - Iontophoresis
Fitness and Your Feet
- Aerobics
- Exercise Those Toes!
- Fitness And Your Feet
- Sports and Your Feet
  - Jogging and Running
  - Basketball
  - Baseball
  - Cycling
  - Golf
  - Tennis
- Stretching
- Walking and Your Feet
- General Information About Fitness and Your Feet
- Work Footwear
Shoes
- Anatomy of a Shoe
- What To Look For
- Your Footprint
- Wear Patterns
- Children’s Shoes
- Corrective and Prescription Shoes
- Men’s Shoes
- Women’s Shoes
- Athletic Shoe Guidelines
- Getting a Proper Fit
Links
- Government
- Online Resources
- Associations/Groups
Foot Anatomy
Overview of Foot and Ankle Problems
Basic Foot Care Guidelines