Flexor hallucis longus tendinitis-a case of mistaken identity and posterior impingement syndrome in dancers: evaluation and management

Stenosing tenosynovitis of the flexor hallucis longus tendon at the sesamoid area

The author presents a case of stenosing tenosynovitis of the flexor hallucis longus tendon at the sesamoid area of the great toe following injury of the hallux. Although stenosing tenosynovitis of the flexor hallucis longus tendon is not rare, occurring frequently in ballet dancers, its entrapment at the sesamoid area was rarely described in the literature. Early recognition of this condition is very important for successful treatment. This patient did not respond to nonoperative treatment and surgical tenolysis was very successful for relief of the symptoms.

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

A complete atraumatic rupture of the flexor hallucis longus tendon in a patient without systemic disease is a rare occurrence. Although four cases of complete traumatic ruptures have been cited in the literature, only one case of a complete atraumatic rupture has been previously reported. Presented here is a second case with a review of the literature and a discussion of the surgical indications.

Flexor hallucis longus tendon injury in dancers and nondancers

Thirty-one cases of flexor hallucis longus injuries in 26 patients were treated over a 16-year period (1977-1993). Groups were divided into dance-related injuries (group I) and other causes (group II). The two groups were compared with regard to age, activity, duration of symptoms, operative findings, histopathology, and postoperative time to resumption of full activities. Twenty-seven cases required surgery for unsuccessful nonoperative treatment. In group I, 71% of patients had a partial longitudinal tear of the flexor hallucis longus compared with 30% in group II. Another common finding was isolated tenosynovitis (21% in group I and 53% in group II). Eight cases had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluations before surgery. Clinical correlation was found to be an important factor in interpreting the MRI. Dancers tended to have symptoms for a longer period of time before seeking treatment than did nondancers. Follow-up was 19.2 months for dancers and 25 months for nondancers. Surgical correction of tenosynovitis, pseudocyst, and tendon tear yielded good or excellent results in 14 of 15 dancers and 9 of 11 nondancers. Surgical treatment of tendon tears and other pathologic tendon conditions gave consistently good results in patients with refractory flexor hallucis longus disease.

Partial rupture of the flexor hallucis longus tendon in a tennis player: a case report

A 39-year-old woman sustained a forced dorsiflexion injury to the left great toe while pivoting to the right during tennis activity. Posteromedial ankle pain was reproduced with active plantarflexion and passive dorsiflexion of the great toe and, to a smaller extent, the lesser toes. Symptoms persisted for 9 months despite nonoperative treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging 5 months after injury revealed evidence of fluid surrounding the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon. Operative findings 9 months after injury included scar tissue and tenosynovitis of the FHL and flexor digitorum longus tendon sheaths, with impingement of distal FHL muscle fibers and a longitudinal split tear (partial rupture) of the FHL tendon. Tenolysis, tenosynovectomy, excision of the distal muscle fibers, and repair of the partial tendon rupture were performed, resulting in resolution of symptoms. Partial rupture of the FHL tendon as a single-impact injury, or in activity other than ballet, has not been documented previously.