Closed tibialis anterior tendon rupture: a case series.
BACKGROUND
Closed tibialis anterior tendon rupture is an uncommon condition typically occurring in the middle aged to elderly patient. Diagnosis may be delayed due to unfamiliarity with the problem by the treating physician.


METHODS
We treated seven patients (4 males aged 54 to 80; 3 females aged 43 to 82) with this problem. Four patients had a history of systemic corticosteroid use and one had had a local steroid injection. Four of the seven patients were managed with direct operative repair and one with a non-anatomical repair to the talar neck. Two patients were managed non-operatively of whom one subsequently required late surgical reconstruction. Patients were reviewed clinically and completed a Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). Followup ranged from 12 months to 12 years.


RESULTS
In the operative group four patients had no functional limitations from the injury and one had mild ankle weakness. One in the nonoperative group required salvage surgery four years after rupture. At followup the mean FAOS was 85 (range, 64 to 98) in the operative group and 52 (range, 28 to 75) in the nonoperative group.


CONCLUSIONS
A ruptured tibialis anterior tendon is a rare condition. There is an association with systemic steroid use as well as local steroid injection. Early diagnosis allows operative repair by various techniques leading to predictably good results. Our experience supports operative repair even in the elderly patient.
Gwynne-Jones
David
D
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dunedin Hospital, Great King Street, Dunedin 9024, New Zealand. david.gwynne-jones@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Garneti
Narendra
N
Wyatt
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000842:Ankle; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012421:Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome