Techniques for the treatment and reversion of tendon injuries in the ankle complex literature review

Abstract

Drop foot is a clinical condition resulting from the blockage of nerve impulses, causing the inability to dorsiflex the ankle, causing a reduction in functional capacity. There are techniques such as the transfer of the posterior tibial tendon via interosseous transmembrane. Objective: To evaluate the best technique for foot drop therapy and relate it to clinical practice. Methodology: literature review by searching the Virtual Health Library databases and the Google Scholar browser, consulting published and indexed journals using the descriptors: “posterior tibial tendon” and “traumatic lesions” and “drop foot” and “tendon transfer” and “tendon transfer techniques”. Results: selected 13 articles published in the period between 2012 and 2021, 6 retrospective studies, 1 cross-sectional, 1 prospective, 2 review and update articles, 2 systematic reviews and a case study. Conclusion: The clinical evidence favors the use of posterior tibial tendon transfer techniques, or another suitable tendon, via the interosseous membrane, and studies with better quality methodological designs are required. In Brazil, a group of researchers chose their own evaluation material, which reinforces the need for standardization for the practice of the national clinic. There was little production and publication of studies on the subject. It is essential to develop more research, when limitations of more up-to-date studies are seen.