Abstract
We report an acute rupture of a macroscopically normal tibialis posterior tendon in
the setting of an acute closed ankle fracture. This injury is considered to be rare,
although it is probably frequently overlooked preoperatively because of limitations
of the clinical examination secondary to pain. The tibialis posterior tendon rupture
was identified at the time of operative repair of the ankle fracture, and direct suture
repair of the tendon was undertaken. After primary suture and osteosynthesis, the
patient’s progress was favorable and a satisfactory outcome was achieved. A clear
history of the mechanism of injury as well as a high index of suspicion should be
maintained, because failure to repair rupture of the tibialis posterior tendon, in
the presence of an ankle fracture, is likely to lead to long-term patient disability
and a planovalgus foot.
Level of Clinical Evidence
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 09, 2010
Footnotes
Financial Disclosure: None reported.
Conflict of Interest: None reported.
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
