01586nas a2200277   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001500055653001000070653001800080653001100098653001100109653001200120653000900132653001600141653001400157653001700171653001700188100001600205700001500221245004300236300001100279490000700290520099700297022001401294       1979                            d  c1979 May10aAdolescent10aAdult10aBone Diseases10aFemale10aHumans10aleprosy10aMale10aRadiography10aSclerosis10aTarsal Bones10aTime Factors1 aHarverson G1 aWarren A G00aTarsal bone disintegration in leprosy.  a317-220 v303 a<p>Tarsal bone disintegration is characterised by fragmentation and progressive collapse of one or more tarsal bones. It occurs in 10% of leprosy patients, and is responsible for many severe foot deformities associated with this disease. The main cause is micro-traumata, but sensory impairment, sepsis and osteoporosis are predisposing factors. In this series of 400 consecutive patients the talus and navicular were involved most frequently (2% of 119 tarsal lesions). Treatment, including prolonged immobilisation of the foot, results in dense sclerosis of the affected bone, and leaves a functional limb. Initial radiological features include: (i) Bone fragmentation. (ii) Calcified fragments in adjacent soft tissues. (iii) Linear fractures. (iv) Progressive compression and deformity of the affected bone. (v) Loss of density of the affected bone. (vi) Flattening of the longitudinal plantar arch. Illustrative case histories are presented, and the differential diagnosis discussed.</p>  a0009-9260