sinus tarsi syndrome - taping?

[ankado]

My 12 year old dancer daughter has sinus tarsi problems due to overpronation. She has had recent updated orthotic insoles. It goes with rest but comes back when she dances again. I wondered if any form of taping would protect her when dancing. She wears soft pumps and can't wear her insole with them. Her physio has shown us how to tape but she does not feel it helps. It looks like plantar fasciitis taping. Would ankle taping of some kind help? She has to land leaps alot whilst dancing. In danger of having to give up something she really loves.

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[neetika]

Hi,

I do not think taping only ankle will really help. try taping the midfoot preventing it from excessive pronation along with the ankle tape.

[dylan]

Would taping help sinus tarsi syndrome? The answer is NO!!!!! The ST joint needs to be mobilised to free up some space. Taping will only restrict movement and increase symptoms.

[sharileedahl]

"dylan" - I have to disagree with your response re. not taping for issues with the sinus tarsi (reasons below) however would be interested in further discussion regarding your opinion. Thanks.

The sinus tarsi is a space between two bones of the foot (calcaneus and talus) inside which are ligaments. They can be injured in this area by an inversion sprain (rolling the ankle) and / or overpronation because ultimately the talus slides medially off the calcaneus with pronation.
Since your daughter is a dancer, that area could be under stress due to an acute injury or from recurrent overpronation (exacerbated by jumping and landing with more force in to pronation) or possibly even recurrent work up on her toes as the ankle goes in to some inversion when the toes are pointed fully. (IF THERE IS A PHYSIO THAT WORKS SPECIFICALLY WITH DANCERS READING THIS, I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN WHAT THEY SEE WITH THEIR ATHLETES...)
If the taping was similar to that used for plantar fasciitis then likely her physio was trying to support the arch and decrease the amount of pronation. It may not be enough with jumping (and more specifically, landing) or your daughter's foot may just be too inflamed at this point to feel a lot of difference with taping while still dancing. There are times when modified activity is required to allow the area to settle down.....your daughter together with her physio are likely the best judges of if that is necessary at this point.
I may still do the same taping technique but perhaps add a few heel locks to help stabilize the subtalar joint. A full ankle taping technique (heel locks, figure-eights) may be too restricting to the mobility of the ankle though.....however it may depend on how irritated the area is.

[dylan]

Hi

Sinus tarsi syndrome is often due to stiffness as a result of overpronation i find. I stand by taping not working. Especially in a 12 year old, PF taping can close down the sinus tarsi and restrict calcaneal rotation. I used to use taping for this, I just wasnt getting good results. Chuck in some orthotics and let it move I say - but hey, everyone is different and that is the beauty of it..

[ankado]

Thanks to everyone for replying. She is resting at present but looking for taping as a way of preventing overpronation when she can't wear her insoles when she is dancing. I think the taping we have been advised sounds about right. Its no help at present when she is acutely inflamed but might help later.

[sharileedahl]

Hi

Sinus tarsi syndrome is often due to stiffness as a result of overpronation i find. I stand by taping not working. Especially in a 12 year old, PF taping can close down the sinus tarsi and restrict calcaneal rotation. I used to use taping for this, I just wasnt getting good results. Chuck in some orthotics and let it move I say - but hey, everyone is different and that is the beauty of it..

Dylan - Thanks for the response. My argument is that I don't think I've seen someone that overpronates AND has stiffness. The majority of time I find those overpronaters relatively lax. The restriction that you find with calcaneal rotation....why do you feel that stresses the structures within the sinus tarsi? Are you saying that the structures are stressed because the calcaneus is relatively fixed and the talus is shearing across it rather than the two bones have some sort of coordinated movement???

[IceMan]

Hi

Sinus tarsi syndrome is often due to stiffness as a result of overpronation i find. I stand by taping not working. Especially in a 12 year old, PF taping can close down the sinus tarsi and restrict calcaneal rotation. I used to use taping for this, I just wasnt getting good results. Chuck in some orthotics and let it move I say - but hey, everyone is different and that is the beauty of it..

I'm curious. What kind of taping technique did you use? I would think a modified Low Dye tape job might be helpful in this case.