ABSTRACT
A fibrous, cartilaginous, or bony (or a combination thereof) connection between two
tarsal bones, or tarsal coalition usually involves the calcaneonavicular or talocal-caneal
articulations. Foot pain, beginning when an initially fibrous coalition becomes partially
or totally osseous and coinciding with trauma or increased stress such as athletic
activity, is the usual presenting symptom. Although often identified on radiographs
of the foot (including specialized projections), tarsal coalitions are increasingly
imaged with computed tomography of the feet. Plain tomography, single contrast arthrography,
and bone scintigraphy are no longer used in the evaluation of tarsal coalition. Magnetic
resonance imaging has some advantages over computed tomography but its exact role
remains undetermined. Surgical resection of symptomatic tarsal coalitions is used
when conservative methods fail to alleviate symptoms.
KEYWORDS
Tarsal coalition - pediatrics - foot
