Tendoscopy of the peroneal tendons

An anatomic cadaver study was performed. Subsequently, in a prospective study, diagnostic and therapeutic tendoscopy (tendon sheath endoscopy) was performed in nine consecutive patients with a history of persistent posterolateral ankle pain for at least 6 months. All patients had pain on palpation over the peroneal tendons, a positive peroneal tendon resistance test, and most often local swelling. In two patients, a peroneal click was found without symptoms of dislocation of the tendons over the fibula. The indications for arthroscopy were diagnostic procedure postsurgery (3), diagnostic procedure postfracture (2), snapping sensation (2), removal of exostosis (1), and partial tendon rupture (1). Inspection and surgery of both tendons and tendon sheath could be performed well by a standard two-portal technique. A new finding is the vincula that was consistently present in all our autopsy specimens, as well as in all our patients. The vincula attaches both tendons to each other and to the tendon sheath. At a mean follow-up of 19 months, three of the four patients in which adhesions were found and resected were symptom free. In one patient, a symptomatic prominent peroneal tubercle was successfully removed. One patient had a longitudinal rupture of the peroneus brevis tendon that was successfully sutured. There were no complications.Arthroscopy 1998 Jul-Aug;14(5):471-8     

Comparison of MRI and local anesthetic tendon sheath injection in the diagnosis of posterior tibial tendon tenosynovitis

BACKGROUND: The modalities currently available to clinicians to confirm the clinical suspicion of posterior tibial tendinitis include MRI, CT, sonography, tenography, and local anesthetic tendon sheath injections. There are no reports in the literature comparing local anesthetic tendon sheath injection to MRI as tools for diagnosing posterior tibial tenosynovitis. METHODS: The authors reviewed the records of all patients with stage 1 posterior tibial tendon dysfunction between the dates of September 1, 2001, to November 21, 2004. Fifteen patients (17 ankles) had a local anesthetic injection into the posterior tibial tendon sheath and MRI for clinically suspected tenosynovitis of the posterior tibial tendon. RESULTS: Seventeen (100%) of 17 ankles had complete relief of symptoms after the local anesthetic tendon sheath injections. Fifteen (88%) of 17 ankles had abnormally increased fluid signal within the posterior tibial tendon sheath seen on MRI. Two of two ankles (100%), after having negative MRI findings, had complete relief with a local anesthetic tendon sheath injection. In addition, conservative treatment failed in these two patients, and they subsequently had tenosynovectomy with gross confirmation at surgery of inflammatory changes within the tendon sheath. These two patients had complete symptom relief after tenosynovectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Local tendon sheath injections and MRI are both reliable diagnostic tools. Injection of the posterior tibial tendon is an accurate, safe, and sensitive modality useful in patients in whom MRI studies are negative in the face of continued clinical suspicion.     

Traumatic rupture of the tibialis posterior tendon after ankle fracture: three cases and a review of the literature

We report three cases of complete traumatic tibialis posterior tendon rupture which occurred after ankle fracture. Diagnosis was established at surgery. Repair of the non-degenerative tendon was achieved during the procedure for osteosynthesis of the malleolar fracture. Fractures healed a few months after surgery. The posterior tibialis muscle tendon functioned plantar arch was normal, except in one patient with multiple injuries who died in intensive care thirteen days after the accident. Although exceptional, injury of the tibialis posterior tendon should not be overlooked after ankle fracture. These injuries become apparent only at surgery for the malleolar fracture since pain hinders clinical examination. Primary suture best guarantees a good functional outcome. Residual pain, deficit in active inversion of the foot, modified medial longitudinal arch, or progression to planovalgus are retrospective diagnostic signs.     

Preliminary gait analysis results after posterior tibial tendon reconstruction: a prospective study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect on gait in patients who underwent reconstruction for stage II posterior tibial tendon (PTT) dysfunction. Twelve patients with stage II PTT dysfunction underwent surgical reconstruction consisting of debridement of the posterior tibial tendon, flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer to the navicular tuberosity, medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy, and spring ligament reconstruction. Midfoot arthrodesis was performed in six patients and gastrocnemius recession in three. Gait analysis was performed 2 weeks prior to surgery and 1 year postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative data were compared to determine differences in temporal-spatial parameters, lower limb kinematics, and ankle push-off power. Step length for the operated side increased from 52.6 +/- 9.6 cm before the surgery to 57.5 +/- 7.1 cm after the surgery (p =.048). Cadence improved from 100.2 +/- 10.7 steps/min to 109.1 +/- 8.5 steps/min (p =.05), thus increasing velocity from 87.6 +/- 22.6 cm/s to 103.4 +/- 15.9 cm/s (p =.042). Single support percentage was unchanged. Maximum sagittal ankle joint power at push-off increased from 0.79 +/- 0.35 W before surgery to 1.2 +/- 0.5 W after surgery (p =.042). There were statistically significant improvements in all radiographic parameters studied. This is the first prospective study to evaluate the in vivo effects on gait in patients undergoing this common surgical procedure. Analysis demonstrated statistically significant improvement in kinetic and kinematic parameters of gait function.     

Role of the peroneal tendons in the production of the deformed foot with posterior tibial tendon deficiency.

Ten patients were identified with traumatic, complete common peroneal nerve palsy, with no previous foot or ankle surgery or trauma distal to the knee, who had undergone anterior transfer of the posterior tibial tendon to the midfoot. Six of these patients had a transfer to the midfoot and four had a Bridle procedure with tenodesis of half of the posterior tibial tendon to the peroneus longus tendon. Average follow-up was 74.9 months (range, 18-351 months). All patients' feet were compared assessing residual muscle strength, the longitudinal arch, and motion at the ankle, subtalar, and Chopart's joint. Weightbearing lateral X-rays and Harris mat studies were done on both feet. In no case was any valgus hindfoot deformity associated with posterior tibial tendon rupture found. It seems that the pathologic condition associated with a posterior tibial tendon deficient foot will not manifest itself if peroneus brevis function is absent.     

Stage I and II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction treated by a structured nonoperative management protocol: an orthosis and exercise program

BACKGROUND: Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a relatively common problem of middle-aged adults that usually is treated operatively. The purpose of this study was to identify strength deficits with early stage PTTD and to assess the efficacy of a focused nonoperative treatment protocol. METHODS: Forty-seven consecutive patients with stage I or II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction were treated by a structured nonoperative protocol. Criteria for inclusion were the presence of a palpable and painful posterior tibial tendon, with or without swelling and 2) movement of the tendon with passive and active nonweightbearing clinical examination. The rehabilitation protocol included the use of a short, articulated ankle foot orthosis or foot orthosis, high-repetition exercises, aggressive plantarflexion activities, and an aggressive high-repetition home exercise program that included gastrocsoleus tendon stretching. Isokinetic evaluations were done before and after therapy to compare inversion, eversion, plantarflexion, and dorsiflexion strength in the involved and uninvolved extremities. Criteria for successful rehabilitation were no more than 10% strength deficit, ability to perform 50 single-support heel rises with minimal or no pain, ability to ambulate 100 feet on the toes with minimal or no pain, and ability to tolerate 200 repetitions of the home exercises for each muscle group. RESULTS: Before therapy weakness for concentric and eccentric contractures of all muscle groups of the involved ankle was significant (p<0.001). After a median of 10 physical therapy visits over a median period of 4 months, 39 (83%) of the 47 patients had successful subjective and functional outcomes, and 42 patients (89%) were satisfied. Five patients (11%) required surgery after failure of nonoperative treatment. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that many patients with stage I and II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction can be effectively treated nonoperatively with an orthosis and structured exercises.     

Diagnosing posterior tibial tendon tear with dynamic ultrasound following tibial intramedullary nailing

Complications following tibial intramedullary nailing include anterior knee pain, malunion, nonunion, and symptomatic/prominent interlocking screws. We report a case of a posterior tibial tendon tear caused by placement of a distal interlocking screw which was detected via dynamic ultrasound. This is a rare and possibly underreported complication which could be the cause of persistent medial sided ankle pain following locked tibial nail placement.     

Repair of the Deltoid Ligament Using Posterior Tibial Tendon Autograft:A Novel Technique

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a progressive disorder secondary to advanced degeneration of the posterior tibial tendon, leading to the abduction of the forefoot, valgus rotation of the hindfoot, and collapse of the medial longitudinal arch. Eventually, the disease becomes so advanced that it begins to affect the deltoid ligament over time. This attenuation and eventual tear of the deltoid ligament leads to valgus deformity of the ankle. Surgical correction of PTTD is performed to protect the ankle joint at all costs. Generally, this is performed using osteotomies of the calcaneus and repair or augmentation of the deltoid ligament. Unfortunately, there has been no universal procedure adapted by foot and ankle surgeons for repair or augmentation of the deltoid ligament. Articles have discussed the use of suture and suture anchors, suture tape, nonanatomic allograft repair, nonanatomic autograft repair with plantaris, peroneal and extensor halluces longus tendons to repair and augment the deltoid ligament. There is very little literature, however, in regard to using the posterior tibial tendon to augment the deltoid ligament in accordance with hindfoot fusion for end-stage PTTD deformity. In general, the posterior tibial tendon in triple and medial double arthrodesis is generally removed because it is thought to be a pain generator. This article presents a case study and novel technique using the posterior tibial tendon to augment and repair the laxity of the deltoid ligament in an advanced flatfoot deformity.     

The effect of vincular injury on the results of flexor tendon surgery in zone 2

From a consecutive series of 82 fingers (69 patients) that sustained flexor tendon lacerations in zone 2, 47 fingers (39 patients) had the status of the vincular system determined during primary repair. The vincula were intact in 22 fingers and not intact in 25. Total active motion (TAM) after rehabilitation and before a reconstructive procedure, such as repair of a rupture, tenolysis, or grafting of a tendon, was the end point of the study. The overall mean TAM was 196 degrees. The mean TAM was 222 degrees for fingers with intact vincula and 176 degrees for fingers with vincula not intact (p less than 0.01). There were no statistical differences between the two groups regarding surgical results when the number of tendons injured per finger and sheath closure were analyzed. This study suggests that the integrity of the vincular system is a determinant of end result TAM and flexor tendon lacerations in zone 2.     

Posterior tibial tendon transfer: results of fixation to the dorsiflexors proximal to the ankle joint

BACKGROUND: Most techniques for posterior tibial tendon transfer attach the posterior tibial tendon somewhere at the dorsum of the foot. Inadequate tendon length and difficulties in securing the tendon to bone or tendon can complicate these procedures. Performing the tenodesis proximal to the ankle joint can prevent these problems. The present study is the first to describe the results of posterior tibial tendon transfer through the interosseous membrane attaching only the posterior tibial tendon to the extensor tendons proximal to the ankle joint. METHODS: We examined 13 feet in 12 patients with a foot-drop, equinovarus deformity, or both. The median (range) followup was 3.7 years (9 to 81 months) and the median age at surgery as 30 (13 to 59) years. Evaluation included recording patient satisfaction, use of ankle-foot orthoses (AFO), video-assisted gait analysis, physical examination, the Stanmore system, modified Ninkovi? method, and complications. RESULTS: At followup, patient satisfaction was excellent to good in nine feet. Ten of the 11 feet that needed an AFO preoperatively did not need one after surgery. Gait analysis demonstrated a good to fair gait in 10 patients. Median dorsiflexion was 0 (-25 to 12) degrees, with dorsiflexion to a neutral position or beyond in nine feet. The Stanmore system and modified Ninkovi? method showed excellent to good results in 10 feet. Three complications were recorded including one failed tendon transfer. CONCLUSIONS: Attachment of a split posterior tibial tendon to the extensor tendons proximal to the ankle joint provides results equivalent to other procedures and can be considered a viable operative alternative because it is less difficult and more straightforward than other techniques.     

Hindfoot endoscopy

Hindfoot pain can be caused by a variety of pathologies; most of these can be diagnosed and treated by means of endoscopy. The main indications are posterior tibial tenosynovectomy, diagnosis of a peroneus brevis length rupture, peroneal tendon athesiolysis, flexor hallucis longus release, os trigonum removal, endoscopic treatment for retrocalcaneal bursitis, endoscopic treatment for Achilles (peri)tendinopathy, and treatment of ankle joint or subtalar joint pathology. The advantages of endoscopic hindfoot surgery over open surgery are less morbidity, reduction of postoperative pain, outpatient treatment, and functional postoperative treatment. This two-portal hindfoot endoscopy approach is a safe, reliable, and exciting method to diagnose and treat a variety of posterior ankle problems and offers a good alternative to open surgery.     

Surgical prevention of foot deformity in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of a modification of the posterior tibial tendon transfer in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients with regard to foot deformity and ambulation. The records of 57 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy were retrospectively reviewed. Three treatment groups were studied: group 1, those who had surgery to maintain ambulation; group 2, those who had surgery to correct and maintain foot position; and group 3, those who had no surgery. All surgical patients had posterior tibial tendon transfer and Achilles tendon lengthening as part of their procedure. Thirty-four patients returned for interviews and examinations to assess outcomes and foot position. The mean age at cessation of ambulation for those who had surgery was 11.2 years versus 10.3 years for those who did not have surgery. Of 48 feet in 24 patients who underwent lower extremity surgery to correct and maintain foot position, 94% were clinically satisfactory at a mean of 8.5 years after surgery. Regardless of the desire to continue ambulation, all patients should have posterior tibial tendon transfer, Achilles tendon lengthening, and toe flexor tenotomies to maintain plantigrade feet.     

Can Hardware Removal be Avoided Using Bioresorbable Mg-Zn-Ca Screws After Medial Malleolar Fracture Fixation? Mid-Term Results of a First-In-Human Study

Ankle is the most common site of hardware removal, mainly performed within 12 months of the primary surgery. The prominence of the metallic hardware is a frequent cause of pain after fracture fixation. Over the last decade, the development of bioresorbable materials based on magnesium (Mg) has increased. Bioresorbable metals aim to avoid a second surgery for hardware removal.MethodsTwenty patients with isolated, bimalleolar, or trimalleolar ankle fractures were treated with bioresorbable screws made of Mg, 0.45wt% calcium (Ca) and 0.45wt% zinc (Zn) (ZX00). Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) including visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the presence of complications 6 and 12 months after surgery and the AOFAS scale after 12 months were reported. The functional outcomes were analysed through the range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint with a standard goniometer. Degradation products and the bioresorbability of the screws were evaluated using plane radiographs.ResultsOne patient was lost to follow-up. All patients were free of pain, no complications, shoe conflict or misalignement were reported after 12 months of follow-up. No Mg screws were surgically removed. An additional fixation of the distal fibula or the dorsal tibial fragment with conventional titanium implants (Ti) was performed in 17 patients. Within 12 months after primary refixation, 12 of these patients (71%) underwent a second surgery for Ti hardware removal. The mean AOFAS score was 89.8±7.1 and the difference between the treated and the non-treated site in the ROM of the talocrural joint was 2°±11° after 12 months. Radiolucent areas around the screws were attributed to degradation and did not affect clinical or functional outcomes. After one year, the Mg screw heads could not be detected in the plane radiographs of 17 patients which suggests that the majority of the screw head is degraded without introducing adverse reactions.ConclusionsAt 6 and 12 months, the bioresorbable Mg screws show excellent PROMs without complications or need for screw removal. The resorbability of the screw heads in most of the patients after one year could also provide an advantage over conventional bio-inert implants by avoiding related skin irritation due for instance to shoe conflict.     

Tendoscopies in the foot and ankle

Tendoscopy is an apparently safe and reliable procedure to manage some foot and ankle disorders. Most common foot and ankle tendoscopies are for the Achilles, peroneals, and posterior tibial tendon. Tendoscopy may be used as an adjacent procedure to other techniques, such as calcaneal osteotomies. The technique allows for an unrivalled view of the entire length of tendons while also providing a dynamic evaluation of their movement inside the sheath. Therefore, it is a useful tool both for the diagnosis and the minimally invasive treatment of different tendon disorders around the foot and ankle. In this paper we will review the techniques, indications, results, and existing evidence and outcomes and complications of foot and ankle tendoscopies. The original techniques will be presented together with tips and tricks to optimize the tendoscopic experience. We will also conducted a search of the biomedical literature to look for results and outcomes of posterior tibial tendoscopy, peroneal tendoscopy, and Achilles tendoscopy.     

Diagnostic arthroscopy and arthroscopic surgery of the upper ankle joint]

Arthroscopy of the ankle joint was limited to the anterior compartments for a long time. The key to the entire diagnostic and therapeutic arthroscopy procedure on the ankle joint was the distension of the joint space through modern distraction techniques. The distraction devices available make arthroscopic surgery of the ankle joint as effective as in other joints like the knee and shoulder. Distension of the joint space allows visualization of all compartments, including the posterior ankle. In the case of hidden cartilage pathology of the posterior talus, an osteotomy linked with hardware removal through a second operation can be avoided today. The indications for arthroscopy of the ankle are pain, swelling, instability, hemarthrosis and joint locking. Generally, arthroscopy of the ankle joint is performed utilizing three general portals: anterolateral, anteromedial and posterolateral. Arthroscopic standard equipment, including the small joint set, is sufficient to treat the major part of ankle pathology through the standard portals. Arthroscopic ankle joint debridement in degenerative arthritis, removal of osteophytes, elimination of loose bodies and the management of soft tissue and bony impingement are possible. A complete synovectomy can be performed, including the posterior compartments. The treatment of osteochondritis dissecans is facilitated through the transmalleolar approach in combination with the distraction device. Arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis is possible and induces less trauma because an arthrotomy can be avoided. In our opinion diagnostic arthroscopy and arthroscopic surgery of the ankle joint is a procedure of great benefit for the patients if the indications are strictly adherred to.     

Endoscopic single-bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: results at minimum 2-year follow-up

Purpose:The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of single-bundle posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction with retention of the PCL remnant and hamstring tendon autograft with interference screw fixation in patients with isolated PCL laxity.Type of Study:Prospective case series with minimum 2-year follow-up evaluation.Methods:Thirty-one patients for whom conservative management had failed underwent surgery using a 4-strand hamstring tendon autograft with interference screw fixation. The median time from injury to reconstructive surgery was 9 months (range, 4 to 120 months). At a minimum of 2 years after surgery, patients were assessed with the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Knee Ligament evaluation, Lysholm knee score, and KT-1000 instrumented testing.Results:Before surgery, the median Lysholm knee score was 64 (95% confidence interval, 51 to 67). No patient rated knee function as normal, and all patients showed at least grade 2 posterior drawer laxity. At review, the median Lysholm knee score was 94 (95% confidence interval, 83 to 94), 56% rated the knee as normal and only one patient was found to exhibit grade 2 laxity on posterior drawer testing. Before injury, 94% of patients participated in moderate or strenuous activity. This figure fell to 26% after injury and had increased to 63% at review.Conclusions:Endoscopic reconstruction of PCL laxity using single-bundle 4-strand hamstring tendon autograft, without removal of the PCL stump, provides a significant reduction in knee symptoms and allows 63% of patients to return to moderate or strenuous activity. This is an effective procedure for symptomatic patients who have isolated PCL laxity and for whom conservative management has failed.     

Fibroma of Tendon Sheath Located within Kager's Triangle

The formation of a fibroma of the tendon sheath, a rare, slow-growing, benign tumor, usually occurs in the upper extremities of young adult males. We present an extremely rare case of a fibroma of the tendon sheath arising adjacent to the Achilles tendon within Kager's triangle in a 41-year-old female. The patient presented with progressive pain localized to the posterior aspect of the left ankle. Complete excision and histopathologic analysis of the fibroma were performed. The patient experienced an uneventful recovery after the intervention and had no evidence of recurrence after 3 months of follow-up. Fibroma of the tendon sheath should be included in the differential diagnosis when a patient presents with a painful soft tissue mass in Kager's triangle.     

Tibial interference screw removal following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

A small number of patients developed pain and tenderness at the tibial tunnel following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Twenty-three knees in 22 patients underwent removal of the tibial interference screw. Ten knees had a preoperative flexion contracture and underwent a concomitant procedure to address the loss of motion at the time of hardware removal. In the 13 knees with full extension, the interval between ligament reconstruction and screw removal averaged 16 months. Eleven of these knees also underwent arthroscopy, but no intraarticular causes of pain were identified. Roentgenographic analysis showed protrusion of the interference screw above the tibial cortex in three cases. Follow-up after hardware removal averaged 2 years. Tibial tunnel tenderness resolved in 21 of 23 knees, including those of the two patients who underwent hardware removal alone. Although it cannot be stated with certainty that tibial interferences screws may cause pain, this review suggests an association. This is an uncommon problem and it is estimated to be a factor in less than 3% of the authors' anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. More common causes of knee pain should be sought before electing to remove the tibial interference screw.     

Tibial plafond fractures. How do these ankles function over time?

BACKGROUND: The intermediate outcome of fractures of the tibial plafond treated with current techniques has not been reported, to our knowledge. The purpose of this study, performed at a minimum of five years after injury, was to determine the effect of these fractures on ankle function, pain, and general health status and to determine which factors predict favorable and unfavorable outcomes. METHODS: Fifty-six ankles (fifty-two patients) with a tibial plafond fracture were treated with a uniform technique consisting of application of a monolateral hinged transarticular external fixator coupled with screw fixation of the articular surface. Thirty-one patients with thirty-five involved ankles returned between five and twelve years after the injury for a physical examination, assessment of ankle pain and function with the Iowa Ankle Score and Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale, assessment of general health status with the Short Form-36 (SF-36), and radiographic examination of the ankle. RESULTS: Arthrodesis had been performed on five of the forty ankles for which the outcome was known at a minimum of five years after the injury. Other than removal of prominent screws (two patients), no other surgical procedure had been performed on any patient. The average Iowa Ankle Score was 78 points (range, 28 to 96 points). The scores on the SF-36 and Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale demonstrated a long-term negative effect of the injury on general health and on ankle pain and function when compared with those parameters in age-matched controls. The degree of osteoarthrosis was grade 0 in three ankles, grade 1 in six, grade 2 in twenty, and grade 3 in six. The majority of patients had some limitation with regard to recreational activities, with an inability to run being the most common complaint (twenty-seven of the thirty-one patients). Fourteen patients changed jobs because of the ankle injury. Fifteen ankles were rated by the patient as excellent; ten, as good; seven, as fair; and one, as poor. Nine patients with previously recorded ankle scores had better scores after the longer follow-up interval. The patients perceived that their condition had improved for an average of 2.4 years after the injury. CONCLUSIONS: Although tibial plafond fractures have an intermediate-term negative effect on ankle function and pain and on general health, few patients require secondary reconstructive procedures and symptoms tend to decrease for a long time after healing.     

Postoperative Repeat Dislocation of the Posterior Tibial Tendon: A Case Report

Dislocation of the posterior tibial tendon is an uncommon condition. Although surgery is usually performed in most cases of posterior tibial tendon dislocation, postoperative repeat dislocation of the posterior tibial tendon has not been reported in the published data. We report the case of a 27-year-old male patient who experienced repeat dislocation of the posterior tibial tendon after a gymnastic landing, 44 months after initial retinaculum repair. For revision surgery, we reconstructed the flexor retinaculum in conjunction with deepening of the retromalleolar groove, because the groove was hypoplastic. He returned to competitive gymnastics and had not experienced subluxation or dislocation of the posterior tibial tendon at the 1-year follow-up examination.