Appropriate Area for Operative Procedures Near Tibialis Anterior Tendon Insertion: A Cadaveric Study

A three-dimensional analysis of the tibialis anterior tendon: emphasizing tendon insertion patterns for effective repair and understanding hallux valgus development

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to evaluate the insertion site of the tibialis anterior tendon three-dimensionally.

METHODS

Seventy lower limbs were dissected. The tibialis anterior tendon was dissected to verify the insertion site to the medial cuneiform and the base of the first metatarsal bone. The three-dimensional (3D) territory of the tibialis anterior tendon insertion on the medial cuneiform and the first metatarsal bones was measured on a reconstructed 3D model.

RESULTS

The insertion pattern of the tibialis anterior tendon was classified into three types, the most common being Type I: a single tibialis anterior tendon dividing into two equal-sized bands to the medial cuneiform and base of the first metatarsal bone (57.1%, 40/70 of cases). The 3D territory of the tibialis anterior tendon was larger in the plantar aspect than in the medial side of both the medial cuneiform and the base of the first metatarsal bone. The width of the tendon inserted into the medial cuneiform was wider than that inserted into the first metatarsal bone.

CONCLUSION

The tibialis anterior tendon was more commonly attached to the plantar part than the medial part in both the medial cuneiform and the base of the first metatarsal bone. This anatomical information will help surgeons perform anatomical reconstruction of the tibialis anterior tendon, reduce further tendon damage in the first metatarsocuneiform joint area and also provide valuable knowledge to improve understanding of hallux valgus pathogenesis.

Radiographic Outcomes, Union Rates, and Complications Associated With Plantar Implant Positioning for Midfoot Arthrodesis

Background:

Midfoot arthrodesis has long been successfully included in the treatment paradigm for a variety of pathologic foot conditions. A concern with midfoot arthrodesis is the rate of nonunion, which historically has been reported between 5% and 10%. Plantar plating has also been noted to be more biomechanically stable when compared to traditional dorsal plating in previous studies. Practical advantages of plantar plating include less dorsal skin irritation and the ability to correct flatfoot deformity from the same medial incision. The purpose of this study is to report the arthrodesis rate, the success of deformity correction, and the complications associated with plantar-based implant placement for arthrodesis of the medial column.

Methods:

A retrospective review was undertaken of all consecutive patients between 2012 and 2019 that underwent midfoot arthrodesis with plantar-positioned implants. Radiographic outcomes and complications are reported on 62 patients who underwent midfoot arthrodesis as part of a correction for hallux valgus deformity, flatfoot deformity, degenerative arthritis, Lisfranc injury, or Charcot neuroarthropathy correction.

Results:

Statistically significant improvement was seen in the lateral talus–first metatarsal angle (Meary angle) and medial arch sag angle for patients treated for flatfoot deformity correction. In patients treated for hallux valgus deformity, there was a reduction in the intermetatarsal angle from 15.4 to 6.8 degrees. The overall nonunion rate was 6.45% in all patients. The rate of nonunion was higher at the NC joint compared to the TMT joint and with compression claw plates. One symptomatic nonunion required revision surgery (1.7%). There were no nonunions when excluding neuroarthropathy patients and smokers. The odds ratio (OR) for nonunion in patients with neuroarthropathy was 6.05 ( P < .05), and in active smokers the OR was 2.33 ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

Plates placed on the plantar bone surface for midfoot arthrodesis achieved and maintained deformity correction with rare instances of symptomatic hardware for a variety of orthopedic conditions. An overall clinical and radiographic union rate of 94% was achieved. The radiographic union rate improved to 100% when excluding both neuroarthropathy patients and smokers. The incidence of nonunion was higher in smokers, neuroarthropathy patients, naviculocuneiform joint fusions, use of compression claw plates, and when attempting to fuse multiple joints. Incisional healing complications were rarely seen other than in active smokers.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.

A novel method of clinical first tarsometatarsal joint hypermobility testing and radiologic verification

Background

First tarsometatarsal joint (TMT-1) hypermobility might cause hallux valgus deformity (HV), and recurrence following surgical correction. Anatomic findings, indicating tibialis anterior tendon (TAT) involvement in TMT‑1 stabilization, led to the development of cross-glide test allowing clinical TMT‑1 stability testing. Cross-glide test function was evaluated in anatomical specimens and in the clinical setting, compared to simulated weight-bearing computer tomography (CT) analysis.

Methods

Cross-glide test was evaluated in 6 healthy lower leg specimens before and after TAT transection. Clinical testing was performed prospectively in 36 feet (6 controls, 21 HV, 9 recurrent HV); consecutive weight-bearing CT analysis was performed. Results from clinical testing were compared to CT analysis.

Results

TMT‑1 instability significantly increased in anatomic specimens following TAT transection (p = 0.009). In the clinical setting, all healthy feet were cross-glide test negative, 62% of HV cases and all recurrent HV feet were positive. In the CT analysis- Compared to controls the HV cases revealed significantly increased MT‑1 internal rotation (p = 0.003) and decreased dorsal angle (p = 0.002), considered as collapsing forefoot signs; HV recurrent cases revealed similar results. Positive cross-glide tested cases revealed increased MT‑1 internal rotation values (p < 0.001) and dorsal angle values (p < 0.001) in CT analysis. Strikingly, cross-glide test positive HV cases revealed significantly increased internal TMT‑1 rotation (p = 0.043) in CT analysis, and HV and IMT (intermetatarsal) angle were significantly higher (p = 0.005, p = 0.006). 15 HV recurrence cases, treated with TMT‑1 arthrodesis, revealed no recurrence during follow-up.

Conclusion

Cross-glide test allows reliable clinical TMT‑1 instability testing, via TAT tension, and is less laborious than CT analysis. We recommend TMT‑1 arthrodesis in cases with instability in clinical testing, to avoid HV recurrence.

Video online

The online version of this article contains one video. The article and the video are online available (10.1007/s00508-020-01705-x). The video can be found in the article back matter as “Electronic Supplementary Material”.

Tendoscopic Synovectomy of Tibialis Anterior Tendon of the Ankle

Tenosynovitis of the tibialis anterior tendon may occur as an overuse injury due to repetitive foot dorsiflexion. Most cases respond to conservative treatment with rest, shoe modification, anti-inflammatory agents, and physical therapy. Surgery may be required for chronic cases recalcitrant to conservative treatment. Other causes of tibialis anterior tenosynovitis include rheumatologic and infectious conditions. Classically, an operation on the tibialis anterior tendon is performed with open approach requiring dissection of the extensor retinacula. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe the technical details of a tendoscopic approach to synovectomy of the tibialis anterior tendon. This can preserve the integrity of the extensor retinacula.