Complete atraumatic rupture of the flexor hallucis longus tendon: a case report and review of the literature

Neglected Iatrogenic Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon Rupture After Haglund's Endoscopic Surgery: A Case Report

Rupture of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon is a rare condition that can occur with direct or indirect trauma; most of the injuries are complete ruptures resulting from laceration. Endoscopic calcaneoplasty is used for treatment of symptomatic Haglund's deformity, and complications of this procedure are rare. Iatrogenic FHL tendon rupture occurring after endoscopic calcaneoplasty has not been reported previously. This case report presents a rare complication after endoscopic calcaneoplasty and the proper method of treatment.

Closed atraumatic complete rupture of the flexor halluces longus tendon during forward lunge exercise: A case report

RATIONALE

Acute rupture of the flexor halluces longus (FHL) tendon due to trauma or laceration is a well-known phenomenon. Partial rupture of the FHL tendon caused by tendinitis or stenosing tenosynovitis is common in ballet dancers and athletes. However, atraumatic complete rupture of the FHL is rare: as of 2018, only 7 cases of closed atraumatic complete rupture of the FHL tendon have been reported in the literature. Here, we report on a patient who presented with a closed atraumatic complete rupture of the FHL tendon during a forward lunge exercise.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 35-year-old female visited the clinic with pain in the plantar medial aspect of the left foot, along with weakness and loss of great toe flexion. The patient had a normal foot structure and no history of trauma or systemic disease. She performed a forward lunge exercise more than 50 times on 1 leg per day, more than once a week to strengthen her leg muscles. She reported that she felt a slight pain in her left, great toe while exercising for 3 weeks prior to her visit. One week prior to presentation, severe pain occurred suddenly when her left hallux dorsiflexed strongly during an anterior lunge exercise motion.

DIAGNOSIS

Magnetic resonance imaging revealed complete rupture of the FHL tendon near the level of the metatarsal head and neck junction. The lesion was prolonged, with the proximal end displaced to the metatarsal shaft region.

INTERVENTIONS

Complete rupture of the FHL tendon was treated with a primary suture.

OUTCOMES

At the 1-year follow-up, active plantar flexion of the interphalangeal joint was possible but joint function had a range of 0° to 25°. Flexion strength was reduced slightly, measuring about 70% when compared to the contralateral side, but flexion strength of the metatarsophalangeal joint was normal.

LESSONS

We describe an extremely rare case of complete rupture of the FHL tendon at the level of metatarsal head and neck junction. It should be understood that this injury can occur not only in professional athletes but also in the general public, and we recommend educating personal trainers on how to prevent it.

Reconstruction of Neglected Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon Rupture: A Case Report

Isolated rupture of the flexor hallucis longus tendon is an unusual injury. We present the case of a neglected flexor hallucis longus tendon closed traumatic rupture at the plantar aspect of the first phalangeal head of the great toe in a middle-age male. The injury occurred while he was dancing. Because end-to-end tendon suture was impossible, the ensuing gap was repaired using a free plantaris tendon graft. We present the operative repair benefit of the flexor hallucis longus tendon rupture to regain the function and strength of the interphalangeal joint of the hallux, avoid extension of the distal phalanx, and maintain the longitudinal arch of the foot.

Transplantation with allograft for rupture of the flexor hallucis longus tendon with subsequent longitudinal tear of the flexor digitorum longus tendon at the master knot of Henry: a case report

A rare case of closed complete rupture of the flexor hallucis longus tendon with subsequent longitudinal tear of the flexor digitorum longus tendon is reported in a marathon runner. This is also a first case report of flexor hallucis longus transplant with cadaveric posterior tibial tendon allograft. Two minimal incisions distal and proximal to the malleolus allowed for tunneling with urethral dilators to open the tendon sheath for transplantation, avoiding the need for a large incision. Postoperatively, the patient regained active flexion at the interphalangeal joint of the left hallux. Four months after surgery, full range of motion was observed and dynamometric exam revealed 68% of the strength of the contralateral side. The patient was able to resume competitive running after the surgery and performed well in her age bracket.

Subcutaneous rupture of the flexor hallucis longus tendon: a case report

It is well known that rupture of the flexor hallucis longus tendon can be associated with open injuries and that closed rupture of the flexor hallucis longus tendon is rare. Tendon injuries of the foot can occur secondary to direct, indirect, or repetitive injury. Repetitive tendon injuries can cause tendinitis or stenosing tenosynovitis. Tendinitis is associated with internal tendon injury that can present with tendon thickening, mucinoid degeneration, nodule development, or in situ partial tears. Stenosing tenosynovitis is the development of tendon adhesions within the tendon sheath that interfere with tendon gliding, known as trigger toe. The flexor hallucis longus tendon is susceptible to injury along its entire course. A total of 35 cases of complete or partial closed ruptures of the flexor hallucis longus tendon have been reported. We present the case of complete subcutaneous rupture of the flexor hallucis longus tendon associated with trauma at the proximal phalangeal head.

Posterior calf injury

Acute injuries of the Achilles tendon are common among athletes and non-athletes alike. Injuries of other posterior calf muscles are far less common but should be considered in the differential, to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment of patients with calf injuries. This article focuses on these calf injuries, including injuries of the gastrocnemius, plantaris, soleus, and flexor hallucis longus, which may occasionally be mistaken for Achilles tendon disorders.

Diagnosis and management of the painful ankle/foot part 1: clinical anatomy and pathomechanics

Distinctive anatomical features can be witnessed in the ankle/foot complex, affording specific pathological conditions. Disorders of the ankle/foot complex are multifactoral and features in both the clinical anatomy and biomechanics contribute to the development of ankle/foot pain. The superior tibiofibular, distal tibiofibular, talocrural, subtalar, and midtarsal joint systems must all participate in function of the ankle/foot complex, as each biomechanically contributes to functional movements and clinical disorders witnessed in the lower extremity. A clinician's ability to effectively evaluate, diagnose, and treat the distal lower extremity is largely reliant upon a foundational understanding of the clinical anatomy and biomechanics of this complex complex. Thus, clinicians are encouraged to consider these distinctions when examining and diagnosing disorders of the ankle/foot.

Tenosynovitis of the flexor hallucis longus: a clinical study of the spectrum of presentation and treatment

BACKGROUND

Symptoms associated with flexor hallucis longus (FHL) pathology can manifest themselves anywhere along its length from the posterior leg to the plantar foot and the hallux. This study describes the spectrum of clinical presentations seen with FHL pathology, illustrates the relevant physical examination findings, and outlines a treatment approach.

MATERIALS

Computerized medical data was prospectively collected on 81 patients treated between January, 1997 and March, 2002. The 55 females and 26 males had an average age of 38.3 years, with a mean follow-up of 21.3 months. Forty-five of 81 had previous therapy that failed, usually for "plantar fasciitis." Twenty-seven were active athletically and 24 related the onset of symptoms to a specific traumatic episode. Pain was located at the posteromedial ankle in 40, plantar heel in 23, plantar midfoot in 22, and multiple locations in 16. All patients had tenderness of the FHL. Restriction of FHL excursion was demonstrated in 30 patients by limited hallux metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion when the ankle was dorsiflexed ("FHL stretch test"). Thirty-four patients had magnetic resonance imaging of the FHL, 28 (82%) of which were positive for synovitis of the FHL. Treatment included an FHL stretching program, short-term immobilization, and operative decompression and synovectomy in patients for whom nonoperative treatment failed.

RESULTS

Of the 58 patients treated nonoperatively, 37 (64%) had successful results. Twenty-three patients had surgery, 20 at the posterior ankle fibro-osseous tunnel, and three in the sesamoid region. All patients treated operatively had successful outcomes. A subset of 10 patients had hallux rigidus symptoms without significant osteophyte formation. All 10 obtained successful results with treatment directed at restoring normal FHL excursion (nine nonoperatively, one by FHL release). This suggests that limited FHL excursion may be an etiology for the development of hallux rigidus.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical syndromes related to the FHL are more frequent than previously reported. The close relationship of the FHL to commonly injured structures (such as the plantar fascia) contributes to significant delays in effective treatment.

Imaging of athletic injuries to the ankle and foot

Conventional radiographs in conjunction with clinical examination remains the primary method for evaluating the acute athletic injury. In most cases, suspected acute tendon and ligament injuries are initially treated based on physical examination. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, with its multiplanar capability and superb soft tissue contrast, is quickly becoming the method of choice for evaluating chronic foot and ankle pain and further defining the extent of tendon and ligament injuries. This article reviews the common acute and chronic (overuse) foot and ankle athletic injuries with an emphasis on imaging characteristics.

Foot and ankle sonography

Sonography of the foot and ankle offers many advantages. Currently, sonographic evaluation rivals or exceeds MR imaging for evaluation of tendons, joint and bursal pathology, and specific soft tissue pathology. The advantages of sonographic evaluation provide a strong impetus for applying this modality to imaging of foot and ankle pathology. Those who accept the challenge will have an expanded repertoire to offer in the pursuit of efficient and effective patient care.