CT assessment of the prevalence of retinacular injuries associated with hindfoot fractures.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of injuries to the flexor and peroneal retinacula in hindfoot fractures as demonstrated on ankle computed tomography (CT).


METHODS
Study patients were identified via review of CT records at a single institution. CT scans were retrospectively reviewed and compared with surgical reports.


RESULTS
Hindfoot fractures undergoing CT showed flexor retinacular injuries in 23.7% of cases and peroneal retinacular injuries in 10.2%. The posterior tibial tendon was partly torn in 4.2% of cases, and entrapped between fracture fragments in 16.1%. The peroneal tendon was rarely injured, being entrapped in 1.7% of cases. Pilon, distal tibial shaft, malleolar, talar, and calcaneal fractures were all associated with retinacular injuries. CT findings correlated well with surgical findings; there were no false-positive CT findings, and only 1 false-negative finding, a posterior tibial tendon that was entrapped at surgery, but in a normal position on the CT.


CONCLUSIONS
Retinacular injuries are commonly demonstrated on CT in patients with ankle fractures. The contribution of these injuries to fracture outcomes is unknown.
Department of Radiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. julia.crim@hsc.utah.edu
Julia
J
Crim
Michael
M
Enslow
Joshua
J
Smith
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005205:Fascia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013639:Tarsal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D053682:Tendon Entrapment / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult