Peroneus Brevis Tendon Research Articles

Talocalcaneal Coalition Resection with Local Fat Grafting and Flatfoot Reconstruction.

Talocalcaneal (TC) coalitions typically present in the pediatric population with medial hindfoot and/or ankle pain and absent subtalar range of motion. Coalition resection with fat interposition is well described for isolated tarsal coalitions1,2; however, patients with concomitant rigid flatfoot may benefit from additional reconstructive procedures. To address this, we employ the surgical technique of TC resection with local fat grafting and flatfoot reconstruction. This procedure is described in 3 steps: (1) gastrocnemius recession and fat harvesting, (2) TC coalition resection with local fat interposition, and (3) peroneus brevis Z-lengthening and calcaneal lateral column lengthening osteotomy with allograft. A 3 to 4-cm posteromedial longitudinal incision is made at the distal extent of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle. The gastrocnemius tendon is identified, dissected free of surrounding tissue, and transected. Superficial fat is then harvested from this incision before wound closure. A 7-cm incision is made from the posterior aspect of the medial malleolus to the talonavicular joint. The neurovascular bundle and flexor tendons are dissected carefully from the surrounding tissue as a group and protected while the coalition is completely resected, and bone wax and the local fat are utilized at the resection site to prevent regrowth of the coalition. An approximately 7-cm incision is then made laterally and obliquely following the Langer lines and centered over the lateral calcaneus. The peroneal tendons are released from their sheaths, and the peroneus brevis is Z-lengthened. A calcaneal osteotomy is performed about 1.5 cm proximal to the calcaneocuboid joint and angled to avoid the anterior and middle subtalar facet joints. Two Kirschner wires are inserted retrograde across the calcaneocuboid joint, and the calcaneal osteotomy is opened. A trapezoid-shaped allograft bone wedge is impacted, and the Kirschner wires are advanced across into the calcaneus. The lengthened peroneus brevis tendon is repaired, and the wound is closed in a layered fashion. First-line treatment is nonoperative with orthotics and immobilization. Surgical options include coalition resection with or without calcaneal lengthening osteotomy, arthrodesis, or arthroereisis. Following coalition resection, various grafts can be utilized, including fat autografts, bone wax, or split flexor hallucis longus tendon3-6. This procedure addresses TC coalition with concomitant rigid flatfoot. Resection alone may increase subtalar motion but does not correct a flatfoot deformity. Historically, surgeons performed arthrodesis or arthroereisis, but these are rarely performed in young patients. In patients with coalitions involving >50% of the posterior facet or preexisting degenerative changes, arthrodesis may be indicated7. Patients can expect improvement in pain and function8-11. Previous investigators reported improved patient satisfaction, improved range of motion, clinical and radiographic hindfoot correction, and an improved American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society hindfoot score at the time of final follow-up8,9. Carefully free the neurovascular bundle from the surrounding soft tissue so that it can be carefully retracted away from the area of coalition resection.Utilize the interval between the posterior tibialis and flexor digitorum longus tendons to approach the coalition.Expose the medial wall of the coalition and perform a careful resection that avoids inadvertently diverging into the body of the talus or calcaneus.Place a smooth lamina spreader into the resected area and gently open the subtalar joint to confirm complete coalition resection.Place 2 retrograde wires across the calcaneocuboid joint before performing the osteotomy. Without this step, up to 50% of cases experience calcaneocuboid subluxation and/or rotation after the lateral column lengthening12.To determine the size of the allograft, place a lamina spreader into the osteotomy site to measure the width.If present, rigid supination of the forefoot must be corrected with a medial cuneiform plantar-based closing osteotomy. AOFAS = American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle SocietyFADI = Foot and Ankle Disability IndexMRI = magnetic resonance imagingCT = computed tomographyOR = operating roomK-wire = Kirschner wire.

Endoscopic peroneus brevis tendon transfer for chronic ruptures of the Achilles tendon: surgical technique

Chronic Achilles tendon rupture is usually defined as a rupture diagnosed 4–6 weeks after injury. The management of chronic Achilles tendon rupture (CATR) is a topic of hot debate, and no consensus has been achieved. Surgical management of CATR is recommended. Several approaches, techniques, and grafts have been described. Open techniques carry a high risk of wound breakdown, infection, and necessitate long rehabilitation times. Surgical techniques with smaller incisions to reduce the risk of scar fibrosis, pain, and infection are becoming common. The ipsilateral tendon of the hallux flexor longus and the peroneus brevis is commonly used. Endoscopic transfer of the peroneus brevis tendon is an innovative alternative to other procedures, with comparable results of other autografts even in elite athletes. The tendon of the peroneus brevis is harvested by tendoscopy before performing a calcaneal tendon endoscopy and fixing the graft in a calcaneal tunnel using an interference screw. After surgery, an anterior splint is placed for 3 weeks with immediate forefoot weight bearing. The rehabilitation starts on the 15th postoperative day.

Minimally Invasive Peroneal Tenodesis Assisted by Peroneal Tendoscopy: Technique and Preliminary Results.

Introduction: Peroneal disorders are a common cause of ankle pain and lateral instability and have been described in as much as 77% of patients with lateral ankle instability. Clicking, swelling, pain, and tenderness in the peroneal tendons track are frequent symptoms, but they can be confused with other causes of lateral ankle pain. The management of peroneal disorders can be conservative or surgical. When the conservative treatment fails, surgery is indicated, and open or tendoscopic synovectomy, tubularization, tenodesis or tendon transfers can be performed. The authors present a surgical technique of tendoscopy associated to minimally invasive tenodesis for the treatment of peroneal tendon tears, as well as the preliminary results of patients submitted to this procedure. Methods: Four patients with chronic lateral ankle pain who were diagnosed with peroneal brevis pathology were treated between 2020 and 2022 with tendoscopic-assisted minimally invasive synovectomy and tenodesis. Using a 2.7 mm 30° arthroscope and a 3.0 mm shaver blade, the entire length of the peroneus brevis tendon and most parts of the peroneus longus tendon can be assessed within Sammarco's zones 1 and 2. After the inspection and synovectomy, a minimally invasive tenodesis is performed. Results: All patients were evaluated at least six months after surgery. All of them reported improvement in daily activities and in the Foot Function Index (FFI) questionnaire (pre-surgery mean FFI = 23.86%; post-surgery mean FFI = 6.15%), with no soft tissue complications or sural nerve complaints. Conclusion: The tendoscopy of the peroneal tendons allows the surgeon to assess their integrity, confirm the extent of the lesion, perform synovectomy, prepare the tendon for tenodesis, and perform it in a safe and minimally invasive way, reducing the risks inherent to the open procedure.

Full-Thickness Peroneus Longus Tendon Autograft Harvest

Background: Despite extensive evidence of excellent biomechanical and clinical outcomes of ligament reconstructions with bone-patellar tendon-bone, hamstring tendon, and quadriceps tendon autografts, these are not without limitations, including knee-related donor site morbidity, decreased range of motion, and potential for anterior knee pain. Therefore, researchers have explored other options, including the peroneus longus (PL) autograft. Indication: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (both primary and revision), as well as multiligament reconstruction, particularly in areas where access to allografts is limited. Surgical Technique: A 3-cm longitudinal skin incision is placed 2 fingerbreadths (or 3 cm) proximal to the tip of the lateral malleolus, and 3 mm posterior to the fibula. The PL and peroneus brevis tendons are identified and isolated, followed by a tenodesis at the distal limit of the incision. The PL is whipstitched proximal to the tenodesis site, and then incised between the tenodesis and whipstitched portion. A closed tendon stripper is inserted and advanced proximally until the PL graft is released. Discussion/Conclusion: PL autograft harvest has been shown to generate thicker and longer grafts relative to the semitendinosus, with demonstrated efficacy in terms of both biomechanical and clinical outcomes. Current literature points largely to a good safety profile, although there is still conflicting evidence in terms of foot and ankle morbidity and no mid- to long-term follow-up data available. Patient Consent Disclosure Statement: The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form.

Functional Chimeric Double-barrel Fibula and Reinnervated Peroneus Brevis Osteomyocutaneous Flap for One-stage Forearm Reconstruction.

Reconstructing a mangled limb is complex and requires expertise in both bone and soft-tissue reconstruction, particularly when there is significant muscle loss. Typically, multistage surgery is necessary, starting with soft-tissue coverage, followed by bone grafting and tendon transfers. Sometimes, microsurgical techniques such as vascularized bone grafts and free functional muscle transfers are necessary, especially when there is a bone defect of over 6 cm; the soft-tissue environment is infected, scarred, or poorly vascularized; or there are extensive musculotendinous injuries. We treated a 34-year-old man who had a crushed left forearm resulting in an 18 × 8 cm open wound, 5-cm radius and 7-cm ulna bone defects, loss of the extensor pollicis longus and brevis muscles, and extensive injuries to the other musculotendinous structures of the forearm. To accomplish a one-stage reconstruction, we used a chimeric fibula osteomyocutaneous flap that included a 20 × 10 cm skin flap, peroneus brevis muscle with its motor nerve, and two segments of fibula. The proximal and distal fibula segments were used for ulnar and radial bone reconstruction, respectively, preserving forearm supination and pronation. The peroneus brevis tendon was sutured to the extensor pollicis longus tendon, and its motor nerve was coaptated with the posterior interosseous nerve to restore thumb extension. The skin flap provided complete coverage of all exposed bone and tendon structures. At the 12-month follow-up, the patient regained full extension of the thumb, and there were no difficulties with forearm supination and pronation or with foot eversion and plantar flexion at the donor leg.

Republication of "Peroneus Brevis Tenodesis: Side-to-Side or Weave?"

Inversion ankle injuries are extremely common, sometimes causing injury to the peroneus brevis tendon. If more than 50% of the tendon is injured, it oftentimes requires tenodesis to the adjacent peroneus longus tendon. Both Pulvertaft (PT) and side-to-side (SS) techniques have been used for joining the 2 tendons. The purpose of this study was to compare the strength and stiffness of these 2 techniques. Five matched pairs of cadaver ankle specimens were randomized to receive either an SS or PT tenodesis of the peroneus brevis to longus tendons. Following the tenodesis, the specimens were tested for failure load, displacement, energy absorbed at failure, and peak load. Stiffness was also calculated. Paired t tests were performed to detect differences between the 2 conditions. There were no statistically significant differences between the SS and PT tenodesis for any of the metrics measured. For stiffness, the techniques were very similar (SS = 10.14 [4.35], PT = 12.85 [1.72]). There is no difference in failure load, displacement, energy absorbed at failure, peak load or stiffness between the PT and SS techniques for peroneal tenodesis. Level V, cadaver study.

Optimal fibular tunnel direction for anterior talofibular ligament reconstruction: 45 degrees outperforms 30 and 60 degrees.

There is currently no consensus on the optimal drilling direction of the fibular bone tunnel for anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) reconstruction, and few studies have investigated the potential injury to the peroneus longus and brevis tendons and the possibility of fibular fractures during the drilling process. The aim of this study was to assess the potential risk of drilling the tunnel from different directions and determine the most appropriate tunnel direction. The hypothesis was that drilling the tunnel in the 45-degree direction would be the safest and most suitable for the fibular tunnel. Forty-eight fibular tunnels were drilled on fresh ankle specimens using a K-wire guide and a 5.0mm hollow drill. Three tunnel orientations were created, parallel to the sagittal plane of the long axis of the fibula and angled 30°, 45°, and 60° to the coronal plane. The length of the fibular tunnel and the distances from the outlet of the K-wire to the peroneus longus and brevis tendons were measured. The occurrence of a fibula fracture was also observed. The lengths of the bone tunnels in the three groups were 32.9 ± 6.1mm (30°), 27.2 ± 4.4mm (45°) and 23.6 ± 4.0mm (60°). The length of the tunnel drilled at 30° was the longest when compared with that of the tunnels drilled at 45° and 60° (all p values < 0.05). The distances from the outlet of the K-wire to the peroneus longus tendon were 3.0 ± 3.8mm (30°), 3.8 ± 3.2mm (45°) and 5.3 ± 1.8mm (60°), and the distances to the peroneus brevis tendon were 4.2 ± 4.0mm (30°), 6.1 ± 3.8mm (45°), 7.9 ± 3.5mm (60°). In terms of protecting the peroneus longus and brevis tendons, drilling in the 60° direction was better than drilling in the 30° and 45° directions (all p values < 0.05). The risk of injury to the peroneal longus and brevis tendons was 62.5% (30°), 31.3% (45°), and 0% (60°). Although no fibular fractures were observed in any of the three directions, drilling the bone tunnel in the 60° direction disrupted the lateral cortex of the fibula. This study shows that drilling the tunnel in the 45° direction is less likely to cause injury to the peroneus longus and brevis tendons, while ensuring that the tunnel has a sufficient length and avoiding fracturing the distal fibula. Drilling a fibular bone tunnel in a 45° direction is safer and recommended for ATFL reconstruction.

Use of autologous tendon of Hamstring in the treatment of irreparable lesions of peroneus tendon. Case report and literature review

The treatment of severe lesions of peroneus longus and brevis tendons is a challenge for orthopedists, and little is described in theliterature about the epidemiology. Most of the articles focus on single lesion of one of the tendons, rarely describing what to do whenboth are severely ill. This case report will show and discuss a surgical technique for when both tendons are injured. Level of Evidence III; Case Report and Literature Review.

Double-bundle reconstruction of the anterior talofibular ligament by partial peroneal brevis tendon

BackgroundAnatomic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) reconstruction with autologous single-bundle tendon has been widely used in the treatment of ATFL injury. However, there are few clinical reports of using the peroneus brevis tendon (PBT) for double-bundle ATFL reconstruction. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effect of double-bundle ATFL reconstruction with PBT. MethodsThis was a retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with ATFL injury presenting from August 2019 to December 2021. Fifty-three patients were selected after screening based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The following data were compared before and after surgery: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Karlsson Ankle Functional Score (KAFS), the pain interference (PI) and physical function (PF) scores of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), the diameter and width of PBT in ultrasound and muscle strength. ResultsAll functional scores (VAS, PI/PF, AO-FAS, KAFS) and muscle strength were significantly improved at the last follow-up (P < 0.05). The diameter and width of the PBT on ultrasound postoperation were smaller than those preoperatively. ConclusionDouble-bundle ATFL reconstruction with the partial PBT technique is a feasible, anatomic reconstruction technique for chronic lateral instability of the ankle, which meets the anatomical characteristics of the double bundle of the ligament, and the absence of partial PBT does not affect the peroneal muscle strength. Level of evidenceLevel IV, retrospective case series.

Prevalence of Abnormal Ultrasonographic Findings in Asymptomatic Peroneal Tendons

The peroneus longus (PL) and peroneus brevis (PB) tendons comprise the lateral compartment of the leg and stabilize the foot during weightbearing. Peroneal tendinopathy can precipitate lateral ankle pain and induce functional disability. The progression of peroneal pathology to lateral ankle dysfunction is thought to stem from asymptomatic, subclinical peroneal tendinopathy. There may be clinical benefit to identifying asymptomatic patients with this condition before progression to disability. Various ultrasonographic characteristics have been observed in peroneal tendinopathy. The purpose of this study is to identify the frequency of subclinical tendinopathic characteristics in asymptomatic peroneal tendons. One hundred seventy participants underwent bilateral foot and ankle ultrasonographic examination. Images were assessed for abnormalities of the PL and PB tendons by a group of physicians who recorded frequencies of abnormalities. This team consisted of an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle surgery, a fifth-year orthopaedic surgery resident, and a family medicine physician with musculoskeletal sonographer certification. A total of 340 PL and 340 PB tendons were assessed. Sixty-eight (20%) PL and 41 (12.1%) PB tendons had abnormal traits. Twenty-four PLs and 22 PBs had circumferential fluid, 16 PLs and 9 PBs had noncircumferential fluid, 27 PLs and 6 PBs had thickening, 36 PLs and 12 PBs had heterogenicity, 10 PLs and 2 PBs had hyperemia, and 1 PL had calcification. In Caucasian participants, male gender was associated with increased frequency of abnormal findings, but there were no other significant differences based on age, body mass index, or ethnicity. In our studied population of 170 patients who had no complaints of associated symptoms, we found that 20% of PLs and 12% of PBs displayed ultrasonographic abnormalities. When we included all unusual findings within and around the tendons, prevalence rates of ultrasonographic abnormalities were 34% for PLs and 22% for PBs. Level II, prospective cohort study.

Chopart amputation with tendon balancing.

When foot necrosis occurs due to lower limb blood flow disorder caused by diabetes or peripheral arterial occlusion, many patients require lower limb amputation. The functional prognosis after lower limb amputation largely depends on whether the heel can be preserved. However, there are many reports that Chopart amputation causes varus and equinus deformity, and is functionally unfavorable. We herein report a case of Chopart amputation performed with muscle balancing. Postoperatively, the foot was not deformed and the patient was able to walk independently with a foot prosthesis. A 78-year-old man presented with ischemic necrosis of his right forefoot. The range of necrosis extended to the central part of the sole, so Chopart amputation was performed. In the operation, to prevent varus and equinus deformity, the Achilles tendon was lengthened, the tibialis anterior tendon was transferred through a tunnel created in the neck of talus, and the peroneus brevis tendon was transferred through a tunnel created in the anterior part of the calcaneus. At the final follow-up 7 years after the operation, no varus or equinus deformity was observed. The patient became able to stand up and walk on his heel without a prosthesis. In addition, step motion was possible by wearing a foot prosthesis.

The value of the peroneus brevis tendon cross-sectional area in early diagnosing of peroneus brevis tendinitis: The peroneus brevis tendon cross-sectional area.

A thickened peroneus brevis tendon has been considered to be an important morphologic parameter of peroneus brevis tendinitis (PBT). Previous researchers have found that the peroneus brevis tendon thickness (PBTT) is correlated with inflammation of the peroneus brevis tendon. However, inflammatory hypertrophic change is different from simple thickness. Thus, we devised the peroneus brevis tendon cross-sectional area (PBTCSA) as a new diagnostic parameter to analyze the hypertrophy of the whole PBT. We assumed that the PBTCSA is a major morphologic parameter useful for early PBT diagnosis. Peroneus brevis tendon images were collected from 22 patients with PBT and from 22 normal subjects who underwent ankle-magnetic resonance imaging and revealed no evidence of PBT. The T1-weighted axial ankle-magnetic resonance imaging images were evaluated at the ankle level from all participants. The PBTT was measured as the thickest point at the transverse image of the peroneus brevis tendon. The PBTCSA was measured as the cross-sectional ligament whole area of the peroneus brevis tendon that was most hypertrophied in the axial A-MR images. The average PBTT was 2.22 ± 0.29 mm in the normal group and 2.85 ± 0.36 mm in the PBT group. The average PBTCSA was 6.98 ± 1.54 mm2 in the normal group and 13.11 ± 2.45 mm2 in the PBT group. PBT patients had significantly greater PBTT (P < .001) and PBTCSA (P < .001) than the normal group did. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the most suitable cutoff value of the PBTT was 2.51 mm, with 81.8% sensitivity and 81.8% specificity, and an AUC for the score was 0.93. The most suitable cutoff value of the PBTCSA was 10.08 mm2, with 90.9% sensitivity and 90.9% specificity, and AUC for the score was 0.98. Even though the PBTT and PBTCSA were both significantly associated with PBT, the PBTCSA was a more sensitive diagnostic parameter.

Peroneus longus tendon transfer; prospective study of treatment outcome of recurrent fixed clubfoot deformities in children after failed surgical treatment

BackgroundIn childhood, for flexible clubfoot deformity, the transfer of the tendon of the tibialis anterior muscle is widely used. In contrast, extensive surgical procedures are required for fixed clubfoot deformities. MethodsWe describe the peroneus longus tendon transfer to the peroneus brevis tendon, additionally to full surgical release, in cases of recurrent fixed clubfoot deformities. The purpose of this surgical technique was to restore and maintain the dynamic balance of foot inversion-eversion during the gait cycle by augmenting the muscular strength of the weak peroneus brevis tendon. We report the prospective study of treatment outcome of twenty recurrent fixed clubfoot deformities in twelve children (20 feet) after failed surgical treatment they had. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs under full-body weight-bearing and the AOFAS score pre-and postoperatively were used in all patients. For the estimation of the severity of the recurrent clubfoot deformity in each child and to increase the credibility of the AOFAS rating scale, we additionally used a clubfoot sheet score preoperatively and postoperatively (maximum score 100 points for normal foot appearance clinically and radiologically). ResultsThe mean age at surgery was 6,85 (±1,81; 5–11) years. The mean follow-up time was 5,4 (±1,7; 2–8) years. The mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot rating score increased from 69,85 (±9,51; 53–82) points preoperatively to 94,4 (±2,43; 91–97) points postoperatively. The mean clubfoot sheet rating score increased from 43,00 (±12,18; 15–55) points, preoperatively to 90,0 (±4,58; 80–95) points postoperatively. The two-tailed p-value was < 0,0001. ConclusionsThe transfer of the peroneus longus tendon to the peroneus brevis tendon is a minimal surgical procedure that acts collaboratively in maintaining the correction of foot deformity, achieved by the complete surgical release. Level of Evidence: IV.

Resection of a Symptomatic Os Vesalianum with Peroneus Brevis Reattachment: A Report of 3 Cases and Literature Review of 100 Years

Category: Midfoot/Forefoot; Sports Introduction/Purpose: Os vesalianum is a very rare accessory foot bone located adjacent to the fifth metatarsal base. The estimated prevalence is below 1 %. In most cases it remains asymptomatic and is diagnosed as an incidental radiographic finding. Rarely the os vesalianum causes pain in the lateral midfoot. Therefore, only a few case reports about a symptomatic os vesalianum were published in the past. Here, we present what we believe to be the first small case series on that subject together with a review of the literature. Methods: Over a course of 10 years, we have treated three female patients (aged 18-36 years) who presented with pain on exercise in their lateral midfoot over the fifth metatarsal base. All of them had been diagnosed having a nonunion of the fifth metatarsal base, two after having sustained a direct or indirect trauma to the foot. The diagnosis of an accessory bone (os vesalianum) adjacent to the fifth metatarsal base fracture and with a joint facet to the cuboid bone could be made in retrospect in all cases by critically evaluating the initial radiographs. Technetium bone scans revealed an isolated increased uptake at the fifth metatarsal base. Upon surgical exploration, an irritation of the lateral facet of the cuboid with focal cartilage lesion through the accessory bone was noted in all 3 cases as a potential source of pain. Results: In all three cases, resection of the symptomatic os vesalianum and reinsertion of the peroneus brevis tendon into the fifth metatarsal base with a suture anchor was performed an led to a complete relief of pain within 3 months. At a minimum of 12 months follow-up all three patients fully returned to all previous activities including sports. The foot function index (FFI-D) improved from an average of 25.7 to an average of 3.67 at follow-up. One patient had a prominent subcutaneous suture knot removed, otherwise no complications were seen and no revision surgeries were needed in the further course. A systematic review of the literature revealed just 20 reported cases of a symptomatic os versalianum over 100 years (between 1922 and 2021). Previous treatment included observation, rest, resection with or without tendon reattachment, internal fixation and bone grafting. Conclusion: The knowledge of the location and morphology of accessory bones is indispensable when searching for rare causes of chronic foot pain. An os vesalianum may become symptomatic after direct and indirect trauma. The differential diagnosis must include an acute fifth metatarsal base fracture, non-union, or apophysitis (Iselin's disease), a distal peroneus brevis tendon lesion and lateral plantar fasciopathy. Resection of a symptomatic os vesalianum with reattachment of the peroneus brevis tendon to the 5th metatarsal base leads to a foot that is pain free and fully functional in most reported cases including the present series.

Ultrasound Imaging and Prevalence of Intrasheath Peroneal Tendon Subluxation in Asymptomatic Volunteers

Category: Ankle; Other Introduction/Purpose: Intrasheath peroneal tendon subluxation is typically an incidental finding in athletes with sports-related injuries and is characterized by a temporary reversal in the anteroposterior positions of the peroneus longus (pL) and peroneus brevis (pB) tendons within their common tendon sheath. It is currently unclear whether intrasheath subluxation represents normal physiologic or pathologic tendon motion. This study aims to determine the normal variation in motion of supramalleolar pB and pL tendons in multiple ankle positions and to determine the overall prevalence of intrasheath tendon subluxation in asymptomatic volunteers. Methods: Static sonographic images of the peroneal tendons in 22 asymptomatic volunteers were collected in the neutral position, in eight fixed ankle positions (active and passive pronation, dorsiflexion, supination, and plantarflexion), and during dynamic ankle circumduction. The center of each tendon in relation to the lateral fibular cortex and in relation to each other was measured in each position and used to calculate absolute and percentage displacement. Two-way ANOVA was used to determine the significance of passive versus active motion and two-tailed paired sample t-test was used to compare the mean displacement of pL and pB in active and passive positions. Results: Intrasheath subluxation was not visualized in any static position but was visualized in 33% of patients during active ankle circumduction, regardless of direction or laterality. Percent displacement was greatest in active ankle plantarflexion (55%) for pB and in active pronation (34%) for pL. A statistically significant difference in the tendon positions in relation to each other was found in the anteroposterior direction (p=0.026), but there were no statistically significant differences between active and passive motions or with ankle positioning. A non-painful ankle 'snap' was palpated by the sonographer in all cases of intrasheath subluxation. Conclusion: Intrasheath subluxation is a fairly common occurrence seen in one third of our volunteers. Our results suggest that a snapping ankle in otherwise asymptomatic patients is highly suggestive of intrasheath peroneal tendon subluxation and can be well-documented with dynamic ultrasound. Establishing the normal ranges of motion of supramalleolar peroneal tendons may assist in the evaluation of patients with lateral ankle pain.

‘Haleem's Hen’: A Mnemonic for the Anatomy of Hindfoot Structures at the Level of Sustentaculum Tali on Coronal T1-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Images

Category: Hindfoot; Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Magnetic resonance anatomy of the hindfoot as seen at the level of the sustentaculum tali is intricate due to surrounding muscles, tendons, aponeurosis and ligaments. The objective of this work is to provide a mnemonic with illustrative figures to simplify this complex anatomical region on coronal T1-weighted magnetic resonance images (T1-MRIs). Methods: One hundred and twenty-four patients referred for foot and ankle complaints were scanned utilizing standard MRI imaging protocols for evaluation of the hindfoot. Only coronal T1-MRIs of the calcaneus at the level of sustentaculum tali of unremarkably reported patients were selected for the development of this mnemonic. T1- and T2-MRIs of an additional set of patients with hindfoot pathologies were selected to demonstrate how this mnemonic is adapted to identify specific pathologies. Results: Upon viewing the calcaneus with the adjacent anatomical structures on coronal T1-MRIs, the overall appearance resembles a ''Hen in the Nest with Four Eggs.'' The calcaneus represents the body of the hen, while the sustentaculum tali forms the head and neck. The posterior tibial tendon represents the crest of the hen, and the flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus tendons represent its beak and wattle, respectively. The peroneus brevis and peroneus longus tendons represent the tail, and the long plantar ligament represents the flexed legs of Haleem's hen. The plantar aponeurosis represents the hen's nest. Whereas the abductor hallucis, flexor digitorum brevis, abductor digiti minimi and quadratus plantae muscles are the four eggs. Pes planus, flexor digitorum brevis hemangioma, Baxter's neuropathy associated with chronic denervation abductor digiti minimi atrophy and peroneal tendonitis are some of the hindfoot pathologies that can be identified utilizing the mnemonic. Conclusion: The mnemonic, 'Haleem's Hen in the Nest with Four Eggs,' serves as a simplified phrase for orthopedic surgeons, radiologists and other physicians to easily recall the anatomy of the hindfoot when viewing it at the level of the sustentaculum tali on coronal T1-MRIs. In addition, this mnemonic could be particularly useful when utilized in medical education curriculum for residents, fellows, and medical students. Further research is required to validate this mnemonic as an educational tool in medical training and detail additional hindfoot pathologies that can be identified with it.

Comparison of Ultrasound and MRI with Intraoperative Findings in the Diagnosis of Peroneal Tendinopathy, Tears, and Subluxation

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Suspected peroneal tendinopathy, tears, and subluxation are often confirmed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or diagnostic ultrasound (US). The choice between these two imaging modalities is commonly based on surgeon preference as the accuracy of these tests for the diagnosis of peroneal tendinopathy, tears, and subluxation is not known. The purpose of this study was to compare MRI and US to the intraoperative findings in patients who underwent surgery for the treatment of suspected peroneal tendinopathy, tears, and subluxations to determine the diagnostic accuracy of each imaging modality. Methods: The operative records and diagnostic images for 21 patients who underwent surgery for suspected peroneal tendinopathy, tears, or subluxation were retrospectively reviewed. Two fellowship trained musculoskeletal radiologists conducted a systematic blinded review of the stored MRI and US images. The results of this review were compared with the intraoperative findings to yield the sensitivity and specificity for each imaging modality. Results: For the diagnosis of peroneus brevis tears, both MRI and ultrasound were equally good at detecting tears. In the diagnosis of peroneus brevis tears, MRI was marginally better with a sensitivity and specificity of 100% versus ultrasound, which had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 100%. In the diagnosis of peroneal subluxation, ultrasound had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100% compared to MRI, which had a sensitivity of 33% and specificity of 100%. Conclusion: In comparing MRI and US to intraoperative findings for the diagnosis of peroneal tendinosis, tears and subluxation, we found ultrasound to be more effective at diagnosing peroneal tendinopathy and subluxation, while MRI was found to be slightly more accurate in the diagnosis of peroneus brevis tendon tears. Both MRI and ultrasound were effective for the diagnosis of peroneus longus tears.

Improving pre-operative MRI diagnosis of peroneal tendon tears with a new objective sign and assessing the value of peroneus brevis fatty atrophy

Objectives: We aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of an objective set of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria named the cleft sign with traditional reads for pre-operative diagnosis of peroneal tendon tears. We also investigated the relationship between peroneus brevis tendon tears and muscle quality. Material and Methods: Two blinded readers retrospectively and independently evaluated pre-operative ankle MRI studies of 38 patients who had undergone peroneal tendon surgery for peroneal tendon tears, peroneus brevis muscle quality, and the cleft sign. MRI examinations from 38 control subjects were also reviewed for peroneus brevis muscle quality. The diagnostic performances of MRI for peroneal tendon tears with and without application of the cleft sign were analyzed. The correlation between peroneus brevis fatty atrophy and tendon tears was also examined. Results: In patients without prior peroneal surgery, the sensitivity and specificity of MRI for peroneus brevis tendon tears were 60%/89% and 80%/78% for readers 1 and 2, respectively. Application of the cleft sign significantly increased sensitivity in reader 1 to 95%, with a non-significant increase in accuracy in both readers. The interobserver reliability for the cleft sign was moderate for peroneus brevis (κ = 0.57). No significant difference in peroneus brevis muscle quality was present between subjects with and without peroneus brevis tendon tears and between surgical and control patients. Conclusion: In patients without prior peroneal tendon surgery, the cleft sign can significantly improve reader diagnostic sensitivity for peroneus brevis tears. The muscle quality of the peroneus brevis has limited value in MRI diagnosis of peroneal tendon tears.

Superior peroneal retinaculum reattachment for an atraumatic peroneus brevis tendon subluxation: a case report

BackgroundPeroneal tendon subluxation is a rare pathology, generally associated with sport-induced trauma, that occurs due to the rupture of the superior peroneal retinaculum. The diagnosis is mainly clinical, but the use of imaging techniques, such as dynamic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, may contribute to its clarification. Treatment may be conservative or surgical, although there is no consensus on the most appropriate technique to be employed. We report a case of subluxation of the peroneus brevis tendon, with no apparent traumatic cause, in which there was a need for a surgical approach after the failure of conservative treatment.Case presentationA 25-year-old White woman presented pain and locking of the lateral side of the left foot 2 years earlier, with no history of trauma. The patient felt pain upon palpation and presented snapping during flexion–extension of the left ankle. On dynamic ultrasonography, an anterior subluxation of the peroneus brevis tendon occurred when the ankle was in dorsiflexion, suggesting superior peroneal retinaculum injury. Surgical correction was recommended after 2 months of conservative treatment with no improvement. The chosen surgical technique was isolated reattachment of the superior peroneal retinaculum, which proved successful.ConclusionsPeroneal tendon subluxation has no established preferred surgical technique. This case demonstrates superior peroneal retinaculum repair as an efficient surgical approach for this condition. Furthermore, the atraumatic mechanism of injury in this case, along with the unknown true incidence of peroneal tendon subluxation, highlights the need to consider this pathology in cases of ankle injuries.

High return to sports and return to work rates after anatomic lateral ankle ligament reconstruction with tendon autograft for isolated chronic lateral ankle instability

PurposeTo evaluate clinical outcomes as well as return to sports (RTS) and return to work (RTW) rates following anatomic lateral ankle ligament reconstruction with a tendon autograft for chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) in a high-risk population, and to compare these outcome parameters between patients having received a gracilis tendon autograft (GT) and free split peroneus brevis tendon (PBT) autograft.MethodsTwenty-eight consecutive patients, who were diagnosed with CLAI, presenting with ≥ 1 risk factor (ligamentous hyperlaxity, insufficient substance of native ligament and/or high-demand athlete), who underwent ankle ligament reconstruction with a tendon autograft between January 2011 and December 2018, were included in this retrospective study. At 63.7 ± 28.0 months (24–112), 23 patients with a mean age of 29.7 ± 10.9 years were available for follow-up. The Karlsson Score, the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), the Tegner Activity Scale and the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain were collected at a minimum follow-up of 24 months. RTS and RTW were evaluated by questionnaire. A subgroup analysis with regard to the graft used for ankle ligament reconstruction (GT versus PBT) was performed.ResultsPatients reported a Karlsson score of 82.1 ± 17.5 (37–100), a FAOS score of 87.8 ± 8.4 (73–99), a median Tegner activity scale of 5.0 (IQR 4–6) and a VAS for pain of 0.5 ± 0.9 (0–4) at rest and of 2.0 ± 2.1 (0–7) during activities at final follow-up. Postoperatively, 96% of patients had returned to sports after 8.3 ± 6.2 months. All patients (100%) had returned to work at 3.5 ± 5.7 (0–24) months, with 87% reporting an equal or improved working ability compared to that preoperatively. Postoperatively, exercise hours per week were significantly reduced compared to preoperatively in patients with a split PBT (n = 12; 13.0 ± 12.9 to 5.6 ± 6.4 h, p = 0.038) autograft as opposed to patients with a GT autograft (n = 11; 13.1 ± 8.7 to 12.4 ± 7.1 h, n.s.). No other group differences were observed.ConclusionGood patient-reported outcomes as well as excellent RTS and RTW rates can be achieved in high-risk patients undergoing ankle ligament reconstruction with a tendon autograft for CLAI. These results may be helpful in preoperatively managing patients’ expectations regarding sports- and work-related outcomes and provide tangible data on the expectable time frame of the individual return to sports and work trajectory.Level of evidenceIV.