Pes Anserinus Syndrome Caused by Osteochondroma in Paediatrics: A Case Series Study

Solitary medial proximal tibial osteochondromas cause pes anserinus syndrome in adolescents

Objective

Osteochondromas are common bone tumors with hyaline cartilage-covered heads, arising from cortical and medullary bone. Solitary medial proximal tibial osteochondromas (MPTOs) can cause pes anserinus syndrome via compression. However, the literature lacks comprehensive studies on MPTO-related pes anserinus syndrome and its surgical outcomes.

Material and Method

The study reviewed 227 patients diagnosed with osteochondroma between January 2018 and January 2022, with 21 patients meeting inclusion criteria: under 19 years, MPTO, surgical excision, histological diagnosis, ≥1-year follow-up. Cases with irregular follow-ups and multiple hereditary exostoses were excluded. Different surgical techniques were employed based on lesion characteristics. Postoperative weight bearing was allowed, and follow-ups involved postoperative complications assessment, clinical data collection, imaging, and functional evaluations using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Hospital for Special Surgery Pediatric Functional Activity Brief Scale scoring systems.

Results

The study involved 21 adolescents (15 ± 2 years). Lesion types were predominantly pedunculated (86%) and surgical interventions involved pes anserinus split (76%) or tenoplasty (24%). No significant correlations were observed between lesion dimensions and IKDC scores. Split intervention led to a significant improvement in IKDC scores (p < 0.01), while tenoplasty showed similar results (p < 0.05). Athlete status did not affect IKDC scores significantly, but both athletes and non-athletes demonstrated improvements (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The negative impact of MPTOs causing pes anserinus tendinitis on the patient's quality of life and activity can be completely corrected with surgical treatment. Complete pes anserinus tendon cutting and subsequent repair are recommended if they facilitate surgery. The study underscores the importance of surgical management for MPTO-related pes anserinus syndrome and provides insights into the effectiveness of different surgical techniques.

Pes anserine bursitis as a complication of tibial osteochondroma

Exostosis, or osteochondroma, represents the most prevalent primary benign bone tumor, often viewed as a developmental anomaly rather than a true neoplasm. This article presents 2 cases illustrating complications associated with tibial osteochondroma. The first case involves a 25-year-old patient with recurrent medial knee pain attributed to pes anserine bursitis secondary to tibial osteochondroma, managed successfully with surgical excision. The second case features a 15-year-old with similar symptoms and unsuccessful conservative management, highlighting the diagnostic challenges and therapeutic options for this condition. Discussion encompasses the clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities including MRI and ultrasound, and management strategies such as conservative measures, corticosteroid injections, and surgical excision. Recognizing and promptly managing complications like pes anserine bursitis in tibial osteochondroma is crucial to prevent chronic pain and functional impairment, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving orthopedic surgeons, radiologists, and physical therapists.

Diaphyseal Aclasis With Pes Anserinus Syndrome

We describe the case of a 20-year-old man who presented with a bony swelling over the medial proximal tibia that caused pain along the pes anserinus tendons, and a history of multiple asymptomatic bony swellings. Wide extraperiosteal resection of the swelling relieved the symptoms with a good outcome within a year. This report describes the pictorial pathoanatomy of a relatively rare association of pes anserinus syndrome caused by osteochondroma in an adult patient. Proximal tibial osteochondromas can also present as pes anserinus syndrome in adult patients with diaphyseal aclasis. Large swellings require wide excision to relieve the stretching pain of pes tendons.