Checkrein Deformity Associated with Intra-Articular Talar Fracture: A Report of Three Cases

A Neglected Extensor Hallucis Longus Tendon Rupture Caused by Arthritic Adhesion

Extensor hallucis longus tendon injury is relatively rare and is principally caused by a laceration when a sharp object is dropped on the instep. Primary suturing is possible if the injury is acute, but if the tear is chronic, tendon contracture causes the space between the edges of the tear to widen, disrupting the end-to-end connection. In particular, a claw toe or checkrein foot deformity may develop over time due to adhesion of the lower leg tendons near the fracture site or scar. We report on a 44-year-old man who visited our outpatient clinic complaining of pain in the right foot and a hindered ability to extend his great toe. He had enjoyed playing soccer during his schooldays; since that time, the extension of that toe had become somewhat difficult. T2-weighted sagittal magnetic resonance imaging revealed that the continuity of the extensor hallucis longus tendon had been lost at the distal phalangeal base attachment site, and that the region of the proximal tendon was retracted to level of the middle shaft of the proximal phalanx. The findings allowed us to diagnose extensor hallucis longus tendon rupture accompanying osteoarthritic changes in the joint and soft tissues. We performed surgical tenorrhaphy and adhesiolysis. This is a rare case of extensor hallucis longus tendon rupture caused by minor trauma. Arthritis that developed at a young age caused the adhesions. If patients with foot and ankle arthritis show tendon adhesion at the arthritic site, tendon rupture can develop even after minor trauma or intense stretching.

Application of ultrasound in preoperative localization diagnosis of checkrein deformity: A retrospective case series

BACKGROUND

Checkrein deformity, is a rare claw toe dynamic deformity of the hallux or great toe. This study investigated the use of diagnostic ultrasound in positioning the accurate injury location causing checkrein deformity and its clinical significance for etiological diagnosis and selection of surgical methods.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients with confirmed checkrein deformities (according to typical symptoms) at the Department of Traumatic Orthopedics of Tianjin Hospital (Tianjin, China) from March 2017 to July 2021.

RESULTS

A total of 11 patients (8 males and 3 females) with a mean age of 36.7 ± 16.8 (range 19-61) were included in this study. The injuries included six cases of tibia and fibula fracture, one case of single tibia fracture, and one case of single fibula fracture. Four patients were treated with steel plate internal fixation, three patients with intramedullary nailing, and one patient with external fixation. Three patients reported no history of any high-energy trauma or surgery. The ultrasound results showed that seven patients suffered from flexor hallucis longus (FHL) lesions, two patients suffered from flexor digitorum longus (FDL) lesions, and two patients suffered from FHL and FDL lesions. The patients underwent different surgeries tailored to their specific lesions. Toe flexion deformity was completely corrected after operation in all patients. The function of the toes was recovered to varying extent.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study demonstrates that the checkrein deformities can be confirmed by ultrasound. It could be used to determine the adhesions before the operation, acting as guidance while establishing the surgical planning.

Retro-Malleolar Z-Plasty of Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon in Post-Traumatic Checkrein Deformity: A Case Series and Literature Review

Checkrein deformity (CD) is a dynamic deformity of the hallux characterized by flexion contracture of the interphalangeal (IF) joint and extension contracture of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, worsened by ankle dorsiflexion. It is due to post-traumatic or ischemic retraction of the long hallux flexor tendon (FHL) following soft tissue trauma, leg fractures, ankle fractures and, more rarely, calcaneal or talar fractures. Diagnosis is essentially clinical, associated with imaging, to rule out unrecognized causes and evaluate fracture healing process. Few cases are reported in literature without univocal treatment. Background and Objectives: To analyze clinical and functional outcomes in patients with CD treated with release and retro-malleolar Z-plasty lengthening of FHL tendon. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with CD treated with retro-malleolar (at tarsal tunnel) Z-plasty lengthening of the FHL tendon between January 2016 and August 2020 were included. Clinical and functional outcomes were collected on admission and post-surgery and analysed retrospectively. Patients with a minimum follow-up of 18 months were included. Results: A total of 14 patients, with mean age of 37.4 years old, with CD diagnosis were included in the study. All patients were suffering from post-traumatic CD and the mean time from trauma to onset of deformity was of 7 months (range 1−12). At a mean follow-up of 31.8 months (range 18−48) we found a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in terms of pain relief (VAS), function (AOFAS score) and ROM of the IP and MTP hallux joints. No recurrence, loss of strength, nerve injury or tarsal tunnel syndrome were observed. No patient required revision surgery. Conclusions: In this case series the retro-malleolar FHL tendon Z-plasty proved to be a suitable option for CD correction, allowing a good clinical and functional recovery.

Posterior Talar Body Fracture With Flexor Hallucis Longus Incarceration: A Case Report & Literature Review

CASE

A 58-year-old man presented with entrapment of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon between fractured fragments of the talar body. The patient was successfully treated with atypical operative approaches to release the tendon and reduce the fracture. At the 1-year follow-up, the patient remained asymptomatic with the ability to extend and flex of all toes. This case illustrates a unique surgical approach for this presentation.

CONCLUSIONS

With proper utilization of positioning and fluoroscopy, posterior talar body fractures with entrapment of the FHL can be stabilized and corrected with dual use of medial-sided approaches.

Closed Pantalar Dislocation With Checkrein Deformity: A Unique Case Report and Literature Review

Closed pantalar dislocations are a rare variant of an uncommon injury. Pantalar dislocations are typically caused by high-energy trauma resulting in an open injury with associated fracture of the articulating bones. Given its obscurity, the literature on closed pantalar dislocations is scarce, and no standard treatment protocol has been accepted. This case report chronicles the treatment and outcome of a 29-year-old man who presented with a checkrein deformity of all digits after a closed pantalar dislocation with 6-month follow-up. A comprehensive literature review found 28 articles representing 39 patients with closed pantalar dislocations without talar neck or body fractures. Roughly equal numbers of closed and open reduction techniques were performed with avascular necrosis occurring in 7 of 36 patients. Although outcome measures and follow-up were variable, what can be considered a suitable outcome was seen in approximately 83% of patients, with only 3 of 35 requiring a secondary operation. Long-term studies with well-defined outcome measures are needed to adequately predict the prognosis of this rare injury and efficacy of treatment protocols.