The response of the flexor digitorum longus and posterior tibial muscles to tendon transfer and calcaneal osteotomy for stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the response of the flexor digitorum longus (FDL) and posterior tibial (PT) muscles to FDL tendon transfer and medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy for stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD). METHODS: Twelve patients were divided into two groups, depending on whether the PT tendon was excised (Excised Tendon Group) or left intact (Intact Tendon Group). The muscle volumes of the FDL and PT muscles in both legs were measured and compared, using cross-sectional area (CSA) analysis of preoperative and postoperative MRI. RESULTS: Preoperatively, there was an average 11% reduction in the PT muscle volume and a 17% increase in the FDL muscle volume from the normal contralateral side in both groups. One year after surgery (average 13.4 months) in both groups, the FDL muscle volume had increased by an average of 27% and the PT muscle volume had decreased by 23% compared to the contralateral normal side. The FDL volume increased by 44% in the Excised Tendon Group compared to 11% in the Intact Tendon Group. The PT muscle volumes were not assessed in the Excised Tendon Group because all PT muscle had been replaced by fatty infiltration. The PT volumes in the Intact Tendon Group decreased further from a 6% reduction preoperatively to a 23% reduction postoperatively compared to the normal contralateral side. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot scores increased from 50 preoperatively to 88 at 1 year after surgery. There was no difference in the scores between the Excised Tendon (47 to 87) and Intact Tendon (53 to 89) groups. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the FDL muscle hypertrophies in response to a failing PT muscle. This hypertrophy continues after FDL transfer and medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy. With excision of the PT tendon, the FDL undergoes greater hypertrophy than if the tendon is left attached. The PT muscle continues to atrophy and undergoes complete fatty replacement if the tendon is excised. Transfer of the FDL and medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy produce a satisfactory improvement in hindfoot function; the outcome was the same whether the PT tendon was sacrificed or left intact.     

Intermediate term follow-up of calcaneal osteotomy and flexor digitorum longus transfer for treatment of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction

Twenty-three patients with stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction who had failed non-surgical therapy were treated with flexor digitorum longus transfer and calcaneal osteotomy. At latest follow-up averaging 35 +/- 7 months (range, 24 to 51 months), 22 patients (96%) were subjectively "better" or "much better." No patient had difficulty with shoe wear; however, four patients (17%) required routine orthotic use consisting of a molded shoe insert. AOFAS scores were available on 21 patients and improved from a preoperative mean of 50 +/- 14 (range, 27 to 85) to a postoperative mean of 89 +/- 10 (range, 70 to 100). Our experience, at an intermediate date follow-up is that calcaneal osteotomy and flexor digitorum longus transfer is a safe and effective form of treatment for stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.     

Treatment of stage II posterior tibial tendon deficiency with flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer and calcaneal osteotomy

BACKGROUND: To assess the efficacy of surgical correction of stage II tibial tendon deficiency with medial translational calcaneus osteotomy and flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer to the navicular, the authors retrospectively reviewed results of treatment of stage II posterior tibial tendon deficiency in 129 patients for whom surgery was performed between 1990 and 1997. METHODS: The indication for surgery included tendon weakness, flexible deformity, and foot pain refractory to nonsurgical treatment. All patients had a painful flexible flatfoot without fixed forefoot supination deformity (stage II). A medial translational osteotomy of the calcaneus and transfer of the flexor digitorum longus tendon into the navicular were done. The patients were examined, radiographs were obtained, and isokinetic evaluation of both feet was performed at a mean of 5.2 years postoperatively. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hindfoot Scale and Short Form Health Surgery (SF-36) were used to evaluate patients postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean AOFAS score at follow-up was 79 points (range, 54-93). There were seven significant complications in six patients. Isokinetic inversion and plantarflexion power and strength were symmetric with the contralateral limb in 95 patients, mildly weak in 18 patients, and moderately weak in eight patients. Subtalar joint motion was normal in 56 (44%), slightly decreased in 66 (51%), and moderately decreased in seven patients (5%). Correction was significant (p < .05) in all four radiographic parameters evaluated. Patients were entirely satisfied (118 patients), partially satisfied (seven patients), or dissatisfied (four patients). Further, 125 (97%) experienced pain relief, 121 (94%) showed improvement of function, 112 (87%) experienced improvement in the arch of the foot, and 108 (84%) were able to wear shoes comfortably without shoe modifications or orthotic arch support. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical correction of stage II posterior tibial tendon deficiency with medial translational calcaneus osteotomy and flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer to the navicular yielded excellent results with minimal complications and a high patient satisfaction rate.     

The Cobb procedure for stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.

Flexor digitorum longus transfer or augmentation is currently the most popular adjunctive procedure for the repair of an attenuated or ruptured tibialis posterior tendon. Although the procedure is efficacious, an important functional muscle is sacrificed. Results show that similar results can be achieved with a tenodesis procedure by way of a split anterior tibial tendon repair. The authors have modified the Cobb procedure, and do not create a hole through the medial cuneiform or navicular. The thick, fibrous periosteal tissue at the medial aspect of the cuneiform is a sufficient tunnel for securing and positioning the tibialis anterior tendon. An additional site of healing and potential complications are avoided. The Cobb procedure is a useful and successful treatment option for PTTD, provides strong autograft augmentation to the posterior tibial tendon without sacrificing function of other tendons, and offers the surgeon and patient predictable outcomes with long-term satisfaction.     

Results of treatment of stage II posterior tibial tendon rupture with flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer and calcaneal osteotomy

In a retrospective study, we reviewed our results of treatment of stage II posterior tibial tendon rupture in 129 patients for whom surgery was performed between 1990 and 1997. During this period of time, 148 patients were treated with surgery following failure of nonsurgical methods of treatment. The 129 patients (117 females, 12 males) with an average age of 53 years (range, 34–75 years) had been symptomatic for an average of 2.8 years (range, 0.5–7 years). The indication for surgery was the presence of foot pain, which was refractory to shoe modifications, orthoses, and brace support. All patients had a painful flexible flatfoot without a fixed forefoot supination deformity. The surgery performed included a medial translational osteotomy of the calcaneus and transfer of the flexor digitorum longus tendon into the navicular. There were additional surgeries performed in 49 patients including repair of a tear of the spring ligament, talonavicular capsule or deltoid ligament (45), lengthening of the Achilles tendon (26), correction of hallux valgus deformity (5), and arthrodesis of the first tarsometatarsal joint (4). All patients were examined, radiographs obtained, and isokinetic evaluation of both feet and lower limbs performed with the KinCom apparatus at a mean of 4.6 years following surgery (range, 3–8 years). The AOFAS hindfoot scale was used to evaluate each patient, although, due to the time elapsed from the initiation of treatment, preoperative AOFAS scores were not retrospectively determined. The mean AOFAS score at the time of the follow-up examination was 79 points (range, 54–93). There were 7 significant complications in 6 patients including: significant progressive hindfoot valgus deformity in 1 patient treated with a triple arthrodesis; overcorrection of the hindfoot in 2 patients necessitating revision with a lateral closing wedge calcaneus osteotomy; 3 patients with symptomatic sural neuritis, and 1 patient with weakness of the gastrocnemius resulting from overlengthening of the Achilles tendon. Isokinetic inversion and plantarflexion power and strength were compared with the contralateral limb for 121 patients, and were noted to be symmetric in 95, mildly weak in 18, and moderately weak in 8. Motion of the subtalar joint was normal in 44%, slightly decreased in 51%, and moderately decreased in 5% of patients. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were evaluated for the talonavicular coverage angle, talus-first metatarsal angle, talocalcaneal angle, and the height of the medial cuneiform to the floor. For 4 of these 5 parameters evaluated, the correction obtained was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Of the patients examined, 123 were entirely satisfied, 4 partially satisfied, and 2 were dissatisfied with the outcome of the procedure. Most patients experienced pain relief (97%), an improvement of function (94%), noted an improvement in the arch of the foot (87%), and were able to wear shoes comfortably without resorting to shoe modifications or orthotic arch support (84%). In conclusion, the surgical correction of stage II posterior tibial tendon rupture with medial translational calcaneus osteotomy and flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer to the navicular yielded excellent results with minimal complications, and a high patient satisfaction rate.     

The Cobb procedure for treatment of acquired flatfoot deformity associated with stage II insufficiency of the posterior tibial tendon

BACKGROUND: A supple flatfoot deformity caused by posterior tibial tendon (PTT) dysfunction may include a supination deformity of the forefoot that usually is not sufficiently corrected by the commonly suggested treatment options. The use of a partial anterior tibial tendon (ATT) graft that is rerouted through the first cuneiform to the proximal stump of the PTT may restore plantarflexion power of the first ray (Cobb procedure). METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive patients with stage II PTT dysfunction and a supple supination deformity of the forefoot were included. A clinical examination, a subjective score, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean AOFAS score increased from preoperatively 53.2 (range 40 to 68) to 88.5 (range 78 to 94) at a followup of 24 (range 12 to 46) months. The overall clinical results were excellent in nine patients (41.0%), good in 12 (54.5%), fair in one (4.5%), and poor in none. None of the patients had decreased power of the anterior tibial tendon compared to the contralateral foot. Nineteen patients (86%) were able to wear shoes without shoe modifications. CONCLUSIONS: The Cobb procedure provided satisfactory correction of associated forefoot supination deformity in stage II PTT dysfunction. All patients had improved function because of the increased stability of the first ray. There was no evidence of loss of ATT power. The Cobb procedure may be considered an appropriate alternative to arthrodeses in selected patients with supple supination deformity in flatfeet.     

Treatment of stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction with flexor hallucis longus transfer and medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy

Nineteen consecutive patients underwent flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon transfer and medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy for the treatment of Stage 2 posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. The FHL tendon was utilized for transfer because it approximates the strength of the posterior tibialis muscle and is stronger than the peroneus brevis muscle. Seventeen patients returned for follow-up examination, follow-up time 18 months (ave.). The AOFAS hindfoot score improved from 62.4/100 to 83.6/100. The subjective portion of the AOFAS hindfoot score improved from 31.0/60.0 to 48.9/60. Weightbearing preoperative and postoperative radiographs revealed no statistically significant improvement for the medial longitudinal arch in measurements of lateral talo-first metatarsal angle, calcaneal pitch, vertical distance from the floor to the medial cuneiform, or talonavicular coverage angle. Three feet had a normal medial longitudinal arch and six feet had a longitudinal arch similar to the opposite side following the procedure. Patient satisfaction was high: 10 patients satisfied without reservations, 6 patients satisfied with minor reservations, and 1 dissatisfied. No patient complained of donor deficit from the harvested FHL tendon. Despite the inability of the procedure to improve the height of the medial longitudinal arch, FHL transfer combined with medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy yielded good to excellent clinical results and a high patient satisfaction rate.     

Medial sliding calcaneal osteotomy with flexor hallucis longus transfer for the treatment of posterior tibial tendon insufficiency.

Medial sliding calcaneal osteotomy is a simple bone procedure to augment tendon transfer in treatment of stage 2 posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. This osteotomy moves the valgus heel under the weight-bearing axis of the leg, shifts the Achilles' insertion medially, and decreases strain on the spring ligament and deltoid ligaments. The osteotomy heals within 6 weeks. Consistently reproducible good-to-excellent results have been achieved using medial sliding calcaneal osteotomy in conjunction with FHL transfer.     

Posterior calcaneal osteotomy with wedge: cadaver testing of a new procedure for insufficiency of the posterior tibial tendon.

Insufficiency of the posterior tibial tendon is challenging to treat. When the deformity is flexible, treatment options have included tendon transfer, often combined with a medial slide calcaneal osteotomy and/or a lengthening of the lateral column. Posterior calcaneal osteotomy has been shown to give correction, although not full correction. Lengthening of the lateral column also has been shown to give correction and has been used in the more severe flexible deformities, but it involves either fusion of the calcaneocuboid joint or risk of arthritis at this joint. An osteotomy combining the calcaneal medial slide with a lengthening of the lateral column at the same osteotomy site has been tested in the laboratory. This combined osteotomy provides a lengthening of the lateral column, but it is positioned away from the calcaneocuboid joint. In this study, the osteotomy was compared with a medial slide calcaneal osteotomy and an Evans lengthening of the lateral column, using a cadaver flatfoot model. Radiographic measurements were made to evaluate correction of the planovalgus deformity after each of these procedures. There was statistically significant improved correction with the new osteotomy compared with that in a standard medial slide, and correction was comparable to that in the lengthening of the lateral column. This combined osteotomy may be a reasonable alternative when more correction is desired than can be obtained from a medial slide alone and when the surgeon wishes to avoid an osteotomy near the calcaneocuboid joint.     

Flexor digitorum longus transfer and medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy for posterior tibial tendon dysfunction: a middle-term clinical follow-up.

HYPOTHESES/PURPOSE: The medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy has recently become a popular addition to flexor digitorum longus transfer for stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. We reviewed the results of 26 patients who had undergone the procedure at an average of 32 months prior to follow-up (range 12 to 70 months) with particular attention to objective functional parameters. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: FDL transfer and medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy provides good functional and symptomatic results in the middle-term. The operation preserves the majority of subtalar motion and is objectively durable as assessed by the continued ability to perform a single-leg toe rise. Although moderate radiographic improvement in the arch is frequent, often patients fail to notice this clinically. A prolonged period of steady improvement in symptoms after surgery is common. SUMMARY OF METHODS/RESULTS: Between 1993 and 1998, 26 patients underwent flexor digitorum longus transfer and medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy performed by the senior author. Sixteen returned for the study and were seen for physical exams. Three were included on the basis of chart review including one who was deceased and two who could not be contacted. Five further patients included on the basis of chart review were also contacted for telephone interviews. For the survival analysis, however, their last physical examination was used as the follow-up date. Two patients who had early technical failures were not interviewed but were counted as early failures of the procedure in the survival analysis. Functionally, all patients except three could perform a single-leg toe rise at follow-up, a maneuver none could perform preoperatively. Of these three, two cases were technical failures with loss of fixation of the FDL transfer early in the postoperative course, ultimately requiring revision procedures including one subtalar fusion. Another patient was a late failure after developing increasing pain and weakness during a pregnancy 69 months after the procedure. Clinically assessed subtalar motion remained 81 +/- 15% of the contralateral side in those patients with unilateral disease. Although improvement in the radiographic alignment of the foot was commonly noted, only 50% of patients felt the conformation of their foot had noticeably changed, and only one (4%) felt the improvement to be significant. Pain relief was rated excellent by 75% and good by 16%; the average AOFAS Hindfoot pain subscale score was 35.2 (out of 40 possible). Function was felt to be markedly improved by all patients except the three who were unable to perform a single-leg toe rise. The average score for the four functional symptom categories of the AOFAS score was 26.8 (out of 28 possible). Most patients noted that although they were able to perform daily activities after their postoperative immobilization was liberalized, there was a prolonged period of steady improvement in symptoms and function after surgery. The median length of time to self-rated maximal medical improvement was 10 months.     

Young's procedure for the treatment of valgus flatfoot deformity caused by a posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, stage II

Young’s procedure contains an action mechanism that works better than other techniques on the pathophysiology of FFD. It respects the anatomy and biomechanics of the foot to reach the necessary muscular balance. The benefits of this technique include that the ATT is not detached, so its function mechanism is still active; the new trajectory of the ATT provides a powerful sling function at the level of the navicular; and the horizontal trajectory of the ATT and the osteoperiosteal flaps constitute a powerful inner capsular–tendinous–ligamentous support. What is more, an insufficiency of the ATT is created, which results in a predominance of the peroneus lateral longus, that descends and prones the forefoot. Additional procedures, such as medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy, should be considered to correct the entire deformity. The combination of these techniques do not sacrifice the joint mobility.     

Subtalar arthrodesis for treatment of posterior tibial tendon insufficiency

Subtalar arthrodesis is an effective treatment of the planovalgus deformity of posterior tibial tendon insufficiency that provides stable and reliable results with minimal complications. Disadvantages include the risk of symptomatic adjacent joint arthrosis at long-term follow-up and less clinical and radiographic correction of the deformity as compared with other reconstructive options, which may make the joint-preserving procedures more attractive for the primary treatment of patients with a flexible pes planovalgus deformity without subtalar pain.     

Calcaneal osteotomy for the treatment of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.

The surgical treatment of PTTD has been well-discussed in the literature. The calcaneal displacement osteotomy is a powerful, yet relatively easy, procedure that accomplishes a significant amount of frontal plane correction in the surgical treatment of PTTD. It can be performed as a straight medialization osteotomy for moderate hindfoot valgus, and must be performed with a resectional wedge in the treatment of large valgus angles. To achieve optimal correction, it must be coupled with procedures that address the triplanar nature of the deformity. When used in combination with other reconstructive procedures, it provides a valuable alternative to other more joint-destructive procedures.     

胫后肌腱转移治疗足下垂

目的：探讨胫后肌腱治疗足下垂的疗效。方法：于１９９９年８月～１９９８年８月,对病因效果不佳１６例足下垂患者行胫后肌腱前移,其中腓总神经损伤８例。骨盆骨折５例,腰椎间盘突出症２例,腓总神经纤维瘤１例。结果：经随访１～４年,平均２９个月,根据ＮｉｎｋｏｖｉｃＭ和ＨａｌｌＧ等的判断标准均获得满意疗效。结论：胫后肌腱转移术是治疗足下垂的有效方法,具有操作容易,损伤小,同时能正前足下垂的优点。     

Outcome following addition of peroneus brevis tendon transfer to treatment of acquired posterior tibial tendon insufficiency

The flexor digitorum longus, the tendon most often used for transfer in posterior tibial tendon insufficiency, is one-half to one-third the size of the posterior tibial tendon. Occasionally it may be particularly small or may have been previously used for transfer. In these cases, the senior author has felt that the addition of a transfer of the Peroneus Brevis (PBr) tendon may be helpful in maintaining sufficient tendon and muscle mass to rebalance the foot. Thirteen patients who underwent this procedure were retrospectively identified and matched by age and length of follow-up to patients who underwent a more standard tendon transfer operation minus the addition of the PBr transfer. Pain and functional status were then assessed by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society's ankle/hindfoot rating scale. Each patient was tested by an independent physical therapist to evaluate inversion and eversion strength. The mean duration of follow-up was 20.6 months (12 to 34 months). The average AOFAS score of the PBr group was 75.8 compared to 71.5 for the standard control group. There was no significant difference between the groups when inversion or eversion strengths were compared. Inversion strength and eversion strength was rated good or excellent (4 or 5) in 12 out of 13 of the PBr transfer group patients. No major complications were encountered in either group. Although it does not increase inversion strength, a PBr transfer can be used to augment a small FDL without causing significant eversion weakness. This can be useful when the FDL is particularly small or in revision surgery.     

Tendon transfers and realignment osteotomies for treatment of stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) has been approached with a multitude of surgical techniques. This article outlines the current understanding of the flexor digitorum longus transfer and flexor hallucis longus transfer in the context of various osteotomy techniques for the correction of stage II PTTD. Pertinent clinical literature and scientific evidence will also be compared and analyzed.     

Flexor digitorum longus transfer and medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy for the treatment of stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction: kinematic and functional results of fifty one feet

Purpose

Stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) can be treated by flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendon transfer and medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy (MDCO). Numerous authors have studied the clinical and radiographic results of this procedure. However, little is known about the kinematic changes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess plantar-pressure distribution in these patients.

Methods

Seventy-three patients with PTTD stage II underwent FDL tendon transfer and MDCO. Plantar pressure distribution and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score were assessed 48 months after surgery. Pedobarographic parameters included lateral and medial force index of the gait line, peak pressure (PP), maximum force (MF), contact area (CA), contact time (CT) and force-time integral (FTI).

Results

In the lesser-toe region, PP, MF, CT, FTI and CA were reduced and MF in the forefoot region was increased. These changes were statistically significant. We found statistically significant correlations between AOFAS score and loading parameters of the medial midfoot.

Conclusions

Study results reveal that FDL tendon transfer and MDCO leads to impaired function of the lesser toes during the stance phase. However, there seems to be a compensating increased load in the forefoot region.     

Stage IV posterior tibial tendon insufficiency: the tilted ankle

Stage IV PTTD is the most challenging of the posterior tibial tendon deficiencies. The combination of a flattened longitudinal arch and a tilted ankle make successful management unpredictable. Conservative management universally fails and surgical options have been limited to pantalar and tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis. Alternatives to surgical management included herein are unproven, but provide a potential solution beyond that of arthrodesis.     

Tendoscopy in stage I posterior tibial tendon dysfunction

Stage I posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is defined as tenosynovitis or tendinitis whereby tendon length remains normal, there is no hindfoot deformity, and diagnosis is basically clinical, characterized by swelling and tenderness posterior to the medial malleolus. This condition is often misdiagnosed as ankle sprain, which delays correct diagnosis and early treatment that may improve symptoms, stop the disease process, and prevent the development of adult acquired flatfoot deformity. Posterior tibial tendoscopic synovectomy is a minimally invasive and effective surgical procedure to treat patients with stage I PTTD.