Subluxation of the tibialis posterior, a complication of tarsal tunnel decompression: a case report.

In a 16-year-old girl, anterior subluxation of the posterior tibial tendon repeatedly occurred after release of the flexor retinaculum for tarsal tunnel syndrome. The symptoms resulting from this subluxation were more disabling than the original complaint. A reconstructive procedure eliminated the subluxation but did not cause recurrence of the tarsal tunnel syndrome. Though this complication is rare, it suggests that opening of the retinaculum for decompression of the tarsal tunnel should be done as far posteriorly as possible, so that the remaining retinaculum can act as a flap to prevent subsequent anterior subluxation of the tendon(s).