New aspect of morphometric study of the superior peroneal retinaculum: pertinent data for surgical repair and reconstruction.

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate characteristics, attachments and morphometric parameters of the superior peroneal retinaculum (SPR). Morphology and morphometric details including width, length, thickness and angle of alignment of SPR in 109 embalmed cadaveric legs were investigated. The occurrence of peroneal tendon tear was also noted. Most of SPR originated from the fibrocartilaginous ridge of the lateral malleolus. The SPR might be a single band or split into proximal and distal bands inserted on the posterior intermuscular septum and lateral wall of calcaneus, respectively. Based on the characteristics and insertion patterns, the SPR could be divided into 3 types: type I (double band with subtype Ia and Ib), type II (single band) and type III (single band) with the prevalence of 56.88% (12.84%, 44.04%), 1.83%, and 41.28%, respectively. The average coordinate (X, Y axis) of the midpoint of width at origin measured from the tip of fibula in all types was 7.26±3.15 and 10.45±4.52 mm. The average coordinate of the midpoint at insertion on the posterior intermuscular septum was 24.06±4.94 and 13.35±5.18, and those inserted on the lateral wall of calcaneus was 21.45±7.88 and 13.59±6.73 mm. Prevalence of peroneus brevis (PB) tendon tear was 12.84% (14 cases) and was associated with SPR type Ib with statistical significance. Precise information of the characteristics, morphometric data and coordinates of attachment sites of SPR are essential for surgical procedures and reconstruction.