High Prevalence of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome in Patients Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Abstract

Abstract Objective To evaluate foot function and prevalence of tarsal tunnel syndrome in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome as compared with healthy individuals. Methods This prospective study included 111 participants, including 63 female patients with fibromyalgia (mean age: 46.17±6.64 years) and 48 female healthy controls (mean age: 46.16±9.38 years) who met the selection criteria. The participants were evaluated for Tinel’s sign and asked about the presence of foot pain and paraesthesia in both groups. In addition, the participants were assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and Foot Function Index (FFI) for functionality. Bilateral electrophysiological studies of the tibial, peroneal, sural, medial and lateral plantar nerves were performed. Results Tarsal tunnel syndrome was present in 20 extremities of the patients with fibromyalgia (15.9%) and four extremities of the controls (4.2%)(p=0.005). Paraesthesia was observed in 56 extremities in the fibromyalgia group (44.4%) and 10 extremities in the control group (10.4%)(p<0.001). Tinel’s sign was positive in 69 extremities (54.8%) in the fibromyalgia group and 17 in the control group (17.7%)(p<0.001). The total number of painful feet was 123 (97.6%) in the fibromyalgia group and 22 (22.9%) in the control group (p<0.001). The mean total FFI was 66.26±60.80 for the right foot and 66.28±64.12 for the left foot in the FMS group; in the control group, it was 16.02±31.01 and 16.87±34.14, respectively. Both values exhibited a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p<0.001) Conclusion In patients with fibromyalgia syndrome, paraesthesia and foot pain may be seen more frequently. Therefore, electrophysiological evaluation of the lower extremities may be recommended in these patients.