[Neurolysis of the posterior tibial nerve in the tarsal canal--a new therapeutic approach in chronic painless plantar ulcers].

The paper reports on 14 cases of perforating plantar disease of whom 11 belong to the so-called nonpainful chronic plantar ulceration by compression of the posterior tibial nerve in the tarsal canal. The authors show clinically, neuroelectrically and by neurography with lipiodol that in the case of a diabetic or alcoholic polyneuropathy, the posterior tibial nerve is more vulnerable to the compression existing in the tarsal canal due to the development of a fibrous sclerotic tissue. Exo-endoneurolysis of the posterior tibial nerve associated with a posterior tibial periarterial sympathectomy permitted healing in 7 ulcerations, 2 diminutions of the ulceration dimensions, and only 2 remissions. The four cases of unfavourable results were in patients with old lesions who continued alcohol consumption.