Retromalleolar Groove Morphology of the Tibialis Posterior Tendon (TPT) in Patients without TPT Pathology Evaluated by Axial Computed Tomography Scans

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the shape of the retromalleolar groove of the tibialis posterior tendon (TPT) using computed tomography (CT). CT images of patients with foot or ankle pathologies were retrospectively reviewed. The morphology of the retromalleolar groove of the TPT was assessed at two different levels: the ankle joint and 10mm above the ankle joint. The groove shape was classified into three types; concave, flat, or irregular. In cases with concave grooves, the width and depth of the grooves were measured. Of the 116 ankles from 116 subjects included in this study, 80.2% showed a shallow concave shape (mean depth, 1.6mm) at the two scan levels. The shape and width of the groove differed significantly by gender, although there was no significant difference in the groove depth. Approximately 80% showed a shallow concave groove of the TPT. The groove characteristics differed by gender, although there was no significant difference in the groove depth. Cross-sectional cohort study; Level of evidence, Ⅳ.