Primary tendon repair in a case of acute traumatic tibialis anterior with extensor hallucis longus tendon rupture in a young male-a case report

Abstract

<p>Tibialis anterior tendon rupture is a rare entity which can be either traumatic and non-traumatic. It often presents late due to mild clinical symptoms and signs. Acute ruptures are traumatic occurring in young individuals while chronic ruptures are due to degenerative processes occurring in elderly individuals, commonly after 45 years of age. Tibia anterior along with extensor hallucis tendon is an even rarer entity, operative management of which becomes mandatory, more so in a young active individual for better outcome. We have a 31-year-old male patient, who presented to us with an acute post traumatic tibialis anterior tendon rupture of 3 days duration which was diagnosed following an initial clinical examination, an unremarkable X-ray picture, and Ultrasonography confirming the diagnosis. The patient was managed with primary repair of the tibialis anterior tendon along with Extensor hallucis tendon (which was found intra-operatively) with 2-0 ethibond sutures using a cross-linked Bunnell technique. The patient regained full ankle range of motion at 8 weeks post operative period with ankle dorsiflexion and great toe extension back to pre-injury state.As we have seen with this case, early primary repair in a case of acute rupture at tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus rupture with non-absorbable suture has significant improved post operative outcome in terms of return of the affected range of motion and can be practice safely in new hands with limited resources as material of suture and technique has not significant effect in post operative outcome. Acute tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis tendon rupture, non absorbable suture, ethibond, cross linked Bunnell technique.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>