Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Caused by Hyperlipidemia

Abstract

Hyperlipidemia has been reported in patients with symmetric peripheral neuropathy or mononeuropathy multiplex^1-8; however, to our knowledge, it has not been previously reported with tarsal tunnel syndrome or other entrapment syndromes. We studied a man with type V hyperlipidemia and posterior tibial nerve entrapment at the ankle. <h3>REPORT OF A CASE</h3> In a routine examination of an asymptomatic 36-year-old man, the following values were found: blood cholesterol, 365 mg/ dL; triglycerides, 1,475 mg/dL; and fasting glucose, 107 mg/dL. After several months on a low fat diet, cholesterol content was 252 mg/dL, and triglycerides content was 574 mg/dL. In September 1980, at the age of 42 years, he began taking cholestyramine resin for treatment of hyperlipidemia and noted numbness of the right great toe, followed by numbness and painful burning of the left medial three toes. The pain made walking difficult, and he stopped working four weeks after onset.