Latent tarsal tunnel syndrome with the provocation of flexor spasms in a paraplegic person. Case report.

A 71-year-old paraplegic woman presented with a complaint of insomnia caused by severe flexor spasms of the lower limbs at night, aggravated for a few hours by taking hot baths. Lidocaine injection of the tarsal tunnel diminished the flexor-withdrawal reflex, which was easily elicited by light pinching or sustained compression over the tarsal tunnel, and strongly suggested the existence of the tarsal tunnel syndrome. Surgical decompression of the tarsal tunnel significantly reduced the flexor spasms both in terms of frequency and of duration.