Surgery for recurrent dislocation of the peroneal tendons

Thirty-five patients with recurrent dislocation of the peroneal tendons were operated a.m. Du Vries. One patient had bilateral dislocations. The dislocation was traumatic in 28 cases and idiopathic in eight. Peroperative complications occurred in eight of the 36 patients due to malposition of a screw, fracture of the malleolus and/or fracture of the bone graft.

The follow-up period was 5 years. In 31 cases the functional results were satisfactory. Five cases were unsatisfactory due to re-dislocation, subluxation or a vague feeling of instability. The inserted screw was the cause of moderate complaints in 15 cases.

The Du Vries' operation is technically difficult; the sliding bone graft must be of adequate size; the position of the screw should be checked radiographically during the operation; and the screw should be removed when the bone graft has healed.