Posterior tibialis tendon rupture associated with closed medial malleolus fracture and avulsion of anterior talofibular ligament: A case report and review of the literature

Rupture of the Tibialis Posterior Tendon With Associated Bimalleolar Ankle Fracture

The acute traumatic rupture of the tibialis posterior tendon in association with closed ankle fractures is rare and often under-recognised. If recognised early, outcomes can be excellent. There are 28 known cases in the literature, and we report two further cases associated with bimalleolar ankle fracture dislocation. A 49-year-old presented with valgus deformity at the ankle joint and global tenderness following a work injury as a mechanic. A plain radiograph showed a displaced oblique comminuted fracture of the lateral malleolus with valgus angulation at a syndesmosis, with significant talar shift. The patient underwent open reduction and internal fixation with a seven-hole, one-third tubular plate and screws. A 35-year-old involved in a motorcycle collision with a car presented with swollen left ankle and valgus deformity. Plain radiographs revealed bimalleolar fracture subluxation. Closed reduction was unsuccessful and hence direct medial approach demonstrated a complete rupture of the posterior tendon. The medial malleolus was fixed using lag screws and washers. The tendon was repaired using the modified Kessler technique in both cases. The tibialis posterior plays a significant role in foot and ankle biomechanics due to its broad tendinous insertion. Acute traumatic rupture is rare, as it is protected due to its deep-seated anatomic location within the deep posterior compartment of the leg. Preoperative diagnosis of this injury is challenging and hence this diagnosis is often made intraoperatively. In both cases, there was a retraction of the proximal end beyond incision margins, and this can make tendon rupture difficult to identify intraoperatively as well. Upon identification, assessment of the tendon for degenerative changes was key to deciding upon suitability for primary repair. Despite its rarity, a high index of suspicion should be maintained in fracture dislocation of the ankle joint, especially when the mechanism is known to be pronation-external rotation.

How Common is Subsequent Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction or Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome After Ankle Sprain Injury?

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) and tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) are debilitating conditions reported to occur after ankle sprain due to their proximity to the ankle complex. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of PTTD and TTS in the 2 years following an ankle sprain and which variables are associated with its onset. In total, 22,966 individuals in the Military Health System diagnosed with ankle sprain between 2010 and 2011 were followed for 2 years. The incidence of PTTD and TTS after ankle sprain was identified. Binary logistic regression was used to identify potential demographic or medical history factors associated with PTTD or TTS. In total, 617 (2.7%) received a PTTD diagnosis and 127 (0.6%) received a TTS diagnosis. Active-duty status (odds ratio [OR] 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.70-2.79), increasing age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.04), female sex (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.28-1.95), and if the sprain location was specified by the diagnosis (versus unspecified location) and did not include a fracture contributed to significantly higher (p < 0.001) risk of developing PTTD. Greater age (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.09), female sex (OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.74-4.29), history of metabolic syndrome (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.03-2.89), and active-duty status (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.38-3.77) also significantly increased the odds of developing TTS, while sustaining a concurrent ankle fracture with the initial ankle sprain (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.28-0.70) significantly decreased the odds. PTTD and TTS were not common after ankle sprain. However, they still merit consideration as postinjury sequelae, especially in patients with persistent symptoms. Increasing age, type of sprain, female sex, metabolic syndrome, and active-duty status were all significantly associated with the development of one or both subsequent injuries. This work provides normative data for incidence rates of these subsequent injuries and can help increase awareness of these conditions, leading to improved management of refractory ankle sprain injuries.

Peroneal Tendons Rupture in a Closed Talar Body Fracture: A Rare Injury

The combination of tendon and ligament ruptures with fracture of the talus is very rare. We demonstrate our experience in the acceptable management of a 34-year-old male referred with a closed comminuted fracture of the talar body after falling 7 meters. During the surgery, complete rupture of the peroneus brevis tendon, partial rupture of the peroneus longus tendon, and an avulsed superficial deltoid ligament from medial malleolus were found. Twelve months after open reduction and internal fixation of the talar body fracture and repair of the peroneal tendons and superficial deltoid ligament, the patient was satisfied, without any talar dome collapse, sclerosis, or arthritic changes. It is recommended to take care of possible tendon or ligament ruptures during fixation of talar fractures in cases of high-energy trauma.