title: Tibial nerve block with anesthetics resulting in achilles tendon avulsion.
abstract: Diagnostic tibial nerve block with anesthetics is a common and safe procedure for the management of the spastic equinovarus foot. Side effects have been rarely reported. We present the case of a hemiplegic patient with a spastic equinovarus foot who presented with an avulsion fracture of the calcaneum at the insertion of the Achilles tendon consecutive to a diagnostic tibial nerve block with anesthetic agents. Although rare, such a complication should be considered when the Achilles tendon is shortened and when the patient is suspected of bone osteoporosis or dystrophy.
authors.affiliation: Spasticity Group, Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital of Mont-Godinne U.C.L. (Université Catholique de Louvain), Yvoir, Belgium.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Deltombe
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Nisolle
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Cloedt
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gustin
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries*; D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003025:Clubfoot / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D013979:Tibial Nerve
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local