[Surgical treatment of tibialis anterior tendon rupture]

Abstract

Introduction: Tibialis anterior tendon rupture is rare, with only a few cases and small series having been reported in the literature. In this article, cases reported in the literature from 1997-2012 are reviewed and patients treated by the author are presented.

Materials: Cases published from 1997-2012 needing surgical treatment for tibialis anterior tendon rupture were retrospectively reviewed. In all, 32 articles with a total of 44 reported cases and 5 patients from our own practice were included. Patient-specific data (e.g., age, trauma, secondary diagnosis, and time to surgery), surgical technique, operative result, and documented complications were also evaluated.

Results: The mean age (MA) of the patients (30 men and 19 women) undergoing treatment was 58 years. A total of 17 patients presented as a result of adequate trauma (MA 52) and 32 patients without or minor trauma (MA 62). In 16 patients (33 %), a primary tendon suture was selected, while in 11 patients (22 %) osseous refixation techniques were performed. In 21 patients (43 %), plastic reconstruction was necessary. Total recovery was observed in 69 % of patients (n = 34); 26 % (n = 13) had moderate limitations. Complications were reported in 12 % of cases (n = 6), thereof one re-rupture.

Conclusion: Good to excellent results were observed in tibialis anterior tendon ruptures reconstruction. No associations between surgical treatment and outcome were observed. The selection of the surgical technique depended on rupture mechanism, location, size, tendon constitution, rupture age, and surgeon's experience.