Tibialis posterior tendon entrapment in posterior malleolar and pilon injuries of the ankle: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

The Tibialis Posterior tendon (TPT) is the only tendon to encounter the distal tibia and is therefore at greatest risk of injury in fractures of the distal tibia. Although TPT injury has been reported rarely with injuries around the ankle, they often have been missed and present late.

AIM

Our aim was to analyse the rate to TPT entrapment in fractures involving the posterior tibia, i.e. Pilon (PLM) and posterior malleolar fractures (PMF).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of PMF and Pilon fractures over an 8-year period was undertaken. Patients who had undergone surgical fixation of their PMF or PLM were identified from 2014 to 2022, using our prospectively collected database. Any fracture which had undergone a preoperative CT was included. Analysis of their pre-operative CT imaging was utilised to identify TPT entrapment, where if < 50% of the tendon cross section was present in the fracture site, this was denoted as a minor entrapment and if ≥ 50% of the tendon was present in the fracture site was denoted as major.

RESULTS

A total of 363 patients were identified for further analysis, 220 who had a PMF and 143 with PLM injury. The incidence of TPT entrapment was 22% (n = 79) with 64 minor and 15 major entrapments. If the fracture line entered the TPT sheath, there was a 45% rate (72/172) of entrapment as compared to 3.7% (7/190) in fractures not entering the sheath (p < .001). There was no significant difference in TPT entrapment in PMF as compared to PML (p = 0.353).

CONCLUSION

In our assessment, we found significant prevalence of 22% of TPT entrapment in fractures involving the posterior tibia. PMF and PLF had no statistically significant difference in the rate of TPT entrapment. Additionally, we found that there was a significant risk of TPT entrapment when the CT images display the fracture line entering the tendon sheath. We recommend that surgeons consider taking care assessing pre-operative imaging to seek to identify the TPT and to assess intraoperatively where entrapment does occur.

Treatment of Chronic Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Stenosing Tenosynovitis Using Ultrasound-Guided Retinaculum Release: A Case Report

CASE

A 65-year-old man with chronic extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) stenosing tenosynovitis who had failed treatments for 3 years was successfully treated with an ultrasound-guided retinaculum release of the sixth dorsal compartment.

CONCLUSION

There are limited options in the literature for treating chronic, recalcitrant ECU tenosynovitis. We describe a novel technique in which the retinaculum overlying the ECU tendon was successfully incised under ultrasound guidance to release the sixth dorsal compartment stenosis. There was no recurrence of symptoms in the following 2 years of follow-up.

Stenosing tenosynovitis with rice bodies formation diagnosed by ultrasound: A case report

RATIONALE

Rice bodies are usually found in several nonspecific chronic inflammatory diseases that are symptomatically dominated by primary disease and local compression symptoms. Rice bodies are usually detected by magnetic resonance imaging; however, some remote areas and areas with poor economic conditions do not have access to magnetic resonance imaging examination, which leads to delayed diagnosis of the disease.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We report the case of a 62-year-old man with pain in the metacarpophalangeal joint of his right middle finger and limited flexion activity of his middle finger.

DIAGNOSES

The mass was 1 cm, well-circumscribed, soft, and painless. Ultrasound showed stenosing tenosynovitis with rice body formation.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent tenosynovectomy with synovectomy of the right middle finger tendon sheath under plexus block anesthesia.

OUTCOMES

No postoperative complications were noted. A 6-month follow-up showed no recurrence. The activity of the patient's middle finger improved significantly.

LESSONS

Stenosing tenosynovitis with rice body formation is a very rare condition, and we use ultrasound for diagnosis. Ultrasound is convenient, rapid, inexpensive, and can obtain blood flow information, facilitate disease follow-up, and even allow ultrasound localization in advance for guided needle biopsy.

Irreducible Lisfranc injury by tibialis anterior tendon entrapment: A case report

RATIONALE

Lisfranc injuries are a dislocation of the metatarsal bones from the tarsal bone. Although closed reduction is possible in most cases of Lisfranc injury when attempted in the early stage, there are some rare cases for which open reduction is required. Herein we report a case of irreducible Lisfranc injury in a 34-year-old man who presented to our institution with painful swelling.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We report a 34-year-old man presented to our institution with painful swelling after a fall from 1.0 m height.

DIAGNOSES

We diagnosed it as irreducible Lisfranc injury by tibialis anterior tendon entrapment through plain radiologic study and surgical findings.

INTERVENTIONS

Plain X-ray, C-arm fluoroscopy and open surgery were performed.

OUTCOMES

We did a closed reduction under a C-arm fluoroscopic guide, but it was not successful. Thus, we had to do an open reduction of a Lisfranc dislocation. Upon exposure, we observed the entrapment of the tibialis anterior tendon between the medial and intermediate cuneiform bones.

LESSONS

Our report is valuable in that it can contribute to the diagnosis and suggest a clue to the treatment of such a rare pathology. The knowledge in the rare case of entrapment of the tibialis tendon and the understanding of management will be useful when a irreducible Lisfranc dislocation is unsuccessful after an attempt at closed reduction.

Entrapment of the extensor pollicis longus tendon in a pediatric Smith fracture: A case report

RATIONALE

Most pediatric distal radius fractures are effectively treated nonoperatively; however, operative intervention is indicated in patients with open and highly unstable fractures, in those with concomitant neurovascular injuries and in patients whom soft tissue interposition between fracture fragments precludes anatomical reduction. Notably, soft tissue interposition between fracture fragments is diagnostically challenging. Surgeons must be mindful of this rare complication for early detection and prompt treatment.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 14-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with left wrist pain after falling from a bicycle. Plain radiography and computed tomography revealed a displaced Smith fracture, which was irreducible by closed reduction, necessitating open reduction and volar plate fixation. The patient reported inability to extend his thumb at his 6-week postoperative follow-up visit.

DIAGNOSIS

Ultrasonography showed extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon entrapment near the fracture site.

INTERVENTIONS

A second operation was performed 10 weeks after the first surgery, and intraoperative exploration revealed EPL tendon entrapment. The EPL tendon was torn to shreds; therefore, extensor indicis proprius tendon transfer was performed for EPL tendon reconstruction.

OUTCOMES

The patient's thumb motion was completely restored after the second operation.

LESSENS

EPL tendon entrapment in a pediatric Smith fracture is rare. Signs of EPL tendon entrapment include inability to perform active thumb extension, dorsal wrist pain radiating along the course of the EPL tendon, which is exacerbated by thumb flexion, a tenodesis effect elicited on thumb examination, and difficulty in anatomical fracture reduction. Surgical exploration of the EPL tendon is warranted in patients presenting with any of these signs following attempted reduction of a Smith fracture.

Anomalous course and stenosing tenosynovitis of the extensor pollicis longus tendon at the radial styloid process: A case report

RATIONALE

Anomalous course and tenosynovitis of extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon is a rare condition that presents clinical symptoms very similar to de Quervain's disease. Herein we report a case of anomalous course and tenosynovitis of the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon associated with symptoms of de Quervain's disease.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 44-year-old right-handed man visited the clinic because of radial pain associated with the left wrist, which was aggravated during the previous 10 days. The patient tested positive on the Finkelstein's test and displayed a limited range of motion of the left wrist. Motion of the thumb and wrist aggravated pain.

DIAGNOSES

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the left wrist suggested mild tenosynovitis at the third extensor compartment and intersection syndrome. However, clinical symptoms failed to match the MRI findings.

INTERVENTIONS

A zig-zag skin incision on the radial styloid process was made. The operative findings revealed stenosing tenosynovitis with partial tearing. Retraction of the tendon extended the thumb interphalangeal joint, suggesting that the tendon was the EPL tendon rather than EPB tendon. After operation, we reviewed the MRI of the patient, which revealed that the oblique course of the EPL tendon originated from the ulnar side of the forearm to the radial styloid at the radial and proximal site of Lister's tubercle. No EPB tendon was present.

OUTCOMES

At 12 months of follow-up, the patient's radial styloid process was completely asymptomatic and resumed full daily activities.

LESSONS

Anomalous course of the EPL tendon is rarely reported associated with similar symptoms of de Quervain's disease. However, the knowledge and understanding of this potential anomaly in the course of EPL tendon is very important for the treatment of de Quervain's disease to decrease patient dissatisfaction after surgery.

Tibialis Posterior Tendon Entrapment Within Posterior Malleolar Fracture Fragment

Management of posterior malleolus fractures continues to be controversial, with respect to both need for fixation and fixation methods. Fixation methods include an open posterior approach to the ankle as well as percutaneous reduction and fixation with or without arthroscopy for visualization of the articular surface. Plain radiographs are unreliable in identifying fracture pattern and intraoperative reduction, making arthroscopy a valuable adjunct to posterior malleolus fracture management. In this article, we report a case of tibialis posterior tendon entrapment within a posterior malleolus fracture, as identified by arthroscopy and managed with open reduction. Tibialis posterior tendon entrapment within a posterior malleolus has not been previously reported. Ankle arthroscopy for posterior malleolus fractures provides an opportunity to identify soft-tissue or tendinous entrapment, articular surface reduction, and articular cartilage injuries unlikely to be identified with fluoroscopy alone and should be considered in reduction and fixation of posterior malleolus fractures.

Complete encasement of the peroneal tendons by the peroneal tubercle

The peroneal tubercle is an osseous structure on the lateral side of the calcaneus present in 90% of individuals. Hypertrophy of the peroneal tubercle resulting in stenosing peroneal tenosynovitis has been well described in the literature. Repair of this condition involves operative treatment to remove the hypertrophied peroneal tubercle and repair any resulting tendon pathology. The authors report a unique case of a hypertrophied peroneal tubercle with an associated tarsal coalition, resulting in complete bony encasement of the peroneal tendons. In this case, a 50-year-old white man presented with worsening bilateral foot and ankle pain for several years. On examination, he had fixed hindfoot varus and bilateral equinocavovarus feet. Magnetic resonance imaging and weight-bearing radiographs showed a calcaneonavicular coalition. Intraoperatively, the authors discovered complete bony encasement of the peroneal longus and brevis tendons. On examination, the peroneal longus and brevis were severely stenotic, with the peroneal brevis to the point of near laceration. This painful condition was repaired by takedown of the calcaneonavicular coalition, the peroneal tubercle was resected, and the peroneal tendons were freed from their bony encasement. Tenodesis of the peroneus brevis to longus was performed and the hindfoot varus was corrected with wedge osteotomy of the calcaneus. The patient reported excellent postoperative results. At 3 months postoperatively, he was pain-free and his calcaneal osteotomy was well healed. This case appears to be the first of its type to be reported in the literature. The details of the case are presented along with a review of the relevant literature.

Central compartment release versus lesser trochanter release of the iliopsoas tendon for the treatment of internal snapping hip: a comparative study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the results of 2 different techniques of endoscopic iliopsoas tendon release in the treatment of internal snapping hip syndrome.

METHODS

Between January 2008 and January 2012, a consecutive series of patients with the diagnosis of internal snapping hip syndrome were treated with endoscopic release of the iliopsoas tendon. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the surgical technique used. Group 1 was treated with endoscopic iliopsoas tendon release at the lesser trochanter, and group 2 was treated with iliopsoas release from the central compartment. Hip arthroscopy of both the central and peripheral compartments was performed in both groups by the lateral approach. Associated injuries were identified and treated arthroscopically. The postoperative physical therapy protocol was the same for both groups. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were evaluated preoperatively and at last follow-up at a minimum of 24 months.

RESULTS

Twenty patients were included in the study: 6 in group 1 (4 male and 2 female patients; mean age, 35.6 years) and 14 in group 2 (5 male and 9 female patients; mean age, 32.7 years). Associated injuries were found and treated in 4 patients in group 1 and 10 patients in group 2. Every patient in both groups had an improvement in the WOMAC score. One patient in group 2 presented with recurrence of snapping that required surgical intervention. No complications were seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Both central compartment release and release at the lesser trochanter produced favorable results, based on WOMAC scores, for the treatment of internal snapping hip syndrome.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic case series.

[Research on minimally invasive release treatment of stenosing tenosynovitis of flexor digitorum]

The minimally invasive release treatment of TCM Small Needle-Knife for the stenosing tenosynovitis of flexor digtorum-"trigger finger" has a more satisfied efficacy. In recent years, many clinicians use self-made small sharp scalpels, iris knives, small sickles, push shear knives, and other improved alternatives to instead of the traditional small needle-knives. Changing the original small needle-knife vertical stabbed cutting method, take a mini-incision, along the traveling direction of flexor tendon make a vertical hook cut, pick cut, straight push cut and any other cuts, completely cut the stenosis of the tendon sheath pulley, to achieve the release therapeutic purposes. The experience of most scholars is: Detailed and thorough understanding refers to the anatomical level of the flexor tendon and surrounding tissue, the structural relationship; Strictly adhere to the indications of minimally invasive release therapy; Proficiency in a dedicated minimally invasive release needle-knives, scalpels, and standardized methods of operation; Accurate positioning before surgery, in surgery traveling direction along flexor tendon, continuous incision to release the middle along the tendon. It can achieve the same or even higher incision release efficacy than the traditional treatment, at the same time also avoids common adverse complications.

[Arthroscopic transcapsular iliopsoas tenotomy from the peripheral versus the central compartment in internal snapping hip syndrome. Short-term results of a prospective randomised study]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

In this prospective randomised study, the short-term results of arthroscopic transcapsular iliopsoas tenotomy approached from the peripheral versus the central compartment for internal snapping hip syndrome are presented.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A group of 19 patients (15 women and four men; mean age, 24.3 years) who underwent arthroscopic transcapsular iliopsoas tenotomy for internal snapping hip syndrome in the period between September 2010 and December 2011 were prospectively evaluated. No injury, hip surgery or feeling of hip instability was recorded in their personal histories. Radiographs did not show any dysplasia, retroversion of the acetabulum or cam lesions. The patients were allocated to two groups using sealed envelope randomisation: Group 1 patients (n=10) were treated by tenotomy from the peripheral compartment and group 2 patients (n=9) underwent tenotomy from the central compartment during traction of the lower extremity. The evaluation included pre-operative 3T MRI findings, arthroscopically detected intra-articular lesions, duration of traction and post-operative complications. The pre-operative WOMAC scores were compared with those at one-year follow-up. In comparison of the two groups, the Mann-Whitney exact test was used for WOMAC scores and Fisher's exact test for post-operative complications. Statistical significance was set at a 0.05 level.

RESULTS

In comparing post-operative complications, a significant difference (p=0.0468) between the groups was found only for genital paresthesia, which did not occur in group 1. The other differences were not statistically significant. The pre-operative WOMAC scores did not differ significantly between the groups (p=0.79). The post-operative WOMAC scores were significantly higher in group 1 (p=0.02). In each group the change in WOMAC scores was different and was statistically significant in group 1 (p=0.0014). Associated intra-articular hip pathologies, most frequently synovitis of the peripheral compartment, acetabular chondropathy, or labral lesions, were diagnosed in 90% of group 1 patients and in 66.7% of group 2 patients.

DISCUSSION

Most of the authors comparing the results of two different ilioproas tenotomy techniques at one-year follow-up did not report any statistically significant differences in WOMAC scores between them. In accordance with the data reported, an increase in the post-operative WOMAC score, i.e., improvement of clinical outcome, was achieved in all our patients and, in group 1, it was significantly higher (p=0.0015), as compared with a similar study by Ilizaliturri. However, further follow-up of the patients and evaluation of long-term results will be necessary.

CONCLUSIONS

The technique of arthroscopic ilioproas tenotomy approached from the peripheral compartment resulted in significantly fewer cases of genital paresthesia and provided significantly better clinical outcomes in comparison with tenotomy from the central compartment.

[Case control study of hook needle knife for the treatment of stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect and safety of the hook needle knife for the treatment of stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum.

METHODS

From September 2007 to September 2008, 60 outpatients with stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum were randomized divided into the treatment group and the control group, 30 cases in each group. Among the patients, 44 patients were female and 16 patients were male, aged from 34 to 69 years, averaged 56 years, the duration of disease ranged from 1 month to 1 year, averaged 3 months. All the patients were treated with hook needle knife and local-blocking respectively. The patients were followed up for 6 months, and the relief of moving-pain, tender-pain, stretching-pain and resist-ing--pain were observed respectively. All the patients were evaluated by the symptoms with numerical rating scale.

RESULTS

The relief of moving-pain, tender-pain, stretching-pain and resisting-pain in the treatment group were significantly better than those of the control group; and the therapeutic effects of treatment group were better than those of the control group.

CONCLUSION

The method for treating stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum with hook needle knife has advantages of definite effects, micro-invasion and safety.

[Hallux flexus--the result of posttraumatic entrapment of the flexor hallucis longus tendon in the tibial fracture site]

Entrapment of flexor hallucis longus after tibial fracture is very rare. We present a case of entrapment of flexor hallucis longus in a case of 36 years old male, who sustain an open tibial fracture. Fracture was stabilised with intramedullary nail. As a conseqence of entrapment of FHL hallux flexus was presented. After release of FHL in musculotendinous junction full range of motion in interphalangaela joint of hallux was obtained.

Prospective randomized study of 2 different techniques for endoscopic iliopsoas tendon release in the treatment of internal snapping hip syndrome

PURPOSE

To evaluate the short-term results of 2 different techniques of endoscopic iliopsoas tendon release for the treatment of internal snapping hip syndrome.

METHODS

Between January 2005 and January 2007, a consecutive series of patients with the diagnosis of internal snapping hip syndrome was treated with endoscopic release of the iliopsoas tendon. The patients were randomized into 2 different groups. Patients in group 1 were treated with endoscopic iliopsoas tendon release at the lesser trochanter, and patients in group 2 were treated with endoscopic transcapsular psoas release from the peripheral compartment. Hip arthroscopy of both the central and peripheral compartments was performed in both groups using the lateral approach. Associated injuries were identified and treated arthroscopically. Postoperative physical therapy was the same for both series, and each patient received 400 mg of celecoxib daily for 21 days after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative Western Ontario MacMaster (WOMAC) scores and imaging studies were evaluated.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients were included in the study: 10 in group 1 (5 male and 5 female; average age, 29.5 years) and 9 in group 2 (8 female and 1 male; average age, 32.6 years). No statistical difference was found in group composition. Associated injuries were found and treated in 8 patients in group 1 and 7 patients in group 2. No statistical difference was found between groups in preoperative WOMAC scores, and every patient in both groups had an improvement in the WOMAC score. Improvements in WOMAC scores were statistically significant in both groups, and no difference was found in postoperative WOMAC results between groups. No complications were seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Iliopsoas tendon release at the level of the lesser trochanter or at the level of the hip joint using a transcapsular technique is effective and reproducible. We found no clinical difference in the results of both techniques.

Complex dorsal metacarpophalangeal joint dislocation caused by interosseous tendon entrapment: case report

We report a patient with open complex, dorsal metacarpophalangeal joint dislocation of the index finger with interposition of the first dorsal interosseous tendon and the transverse ligament of the palmar aponeurosis. To our knowledge, entrapment of the first dorsal interosseous tendon has not been reported to be the cause of irreducible dislocation of the metacarpophalangeal joint.

[Method of surgical treatment of stenosing ligamentitis of fingers]

The authors present results of surgical treatment of patients with stenosing ligamentitis of fingers using different methods. A new method of operative treatment is described. The strategy of decision on this method is grounded, its practicability and results of treatment.

Extensor digitorum longus tenosynovitis caused by talar head impingement in an ultramarathon runner: a case report

Stenosing tenosynovitis of the extensor digitorum longus tendon is an injury related to ultramarathon running. A 32-year-old male ultramarathon runner developed chronic tenosynovitis of the ankle dorsiflexors. He was diagnosed with extensor digitorum longus tenosynovitis caused by talar head impingement associated with exostosis. He failed to respond to non-operative management and decided to undergo tenosynovectomy of the extensor digitorum longus tendon. The pain was relieved without functional disturbance of the foot and ankle, and the patient returned to running 3 weeks postoperatively. At the 2-year follow-up, he was participating fully in ultramarathons.

Percutaneous release of the trigger thumb: is it safe, cheap and effective?

Percutaneous release of the trigger finger and trigger thumb has recently gained popularity. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical results and safety of percutaneous release in trigger thumbs. Twenty-five thumbs of 21 patients were released percutaneously in the polyclinic under local anaesthesia. Steroid injection was performed following the release procedure using the same needle. The thumb function was evaluated by a patient questionnaire, and functional thumb scores (VAS) were calculated in the preoperative and postoperative periods. At the 1 week follow-up, four patients had signs of discomfort and triggering because of incomplete release. These patients underwent open A1 pulley release. Three superficial tendon lacerations were seen during these open procedures. There were no wound complications or signs of digital nerve or artery injury in any of the patients. The preoperative mean VAS was 26.62 (18-36). This decreased to 2.57 (0-5) at the first postoperative month (P<0.001) and to 2.19 (0-3; P<0.001) at the sixth month. When the VAS scores at the first and sixth months were compared, the difference was statistically significant. We concluded that percutaneous release of trigger thumbs is a cheap, safe and effective procedure with a low rate of complications.