Chronic peroneus brevis tendon tears are frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed. They are a more common problem than previously noted. Twenty patients were reviewed in the largest clinical series of its kind. The most reliable diagnostic sign was persistent swelling along the peroneal tendon sheath. The pathophysiologic mechanism is subclinical, or overt, subluxation of the tendon over the posterolateral edge of the fibula. This produces multiple longitudinal splits. Treatment is primarily surgical and must address both the split tendon and the subluxation that caused it. A new classification that guides surgical treatment is proposed. Debridement and repair are recommended for grade 1 tendons, which have damage to less than 50% of the cross-sectional area. Excision of the damaged segment and tenodesis to the peroneus longus are recommended for grade 2 tendons, which have destruction of greater than 50% of the cross-sectional area. Both methods must be augmented by stabilization of the etiologic subluxation. The average postoperative AOFAS score was 85. Return to maximum function is prolonged, but good-to-excellent results were found in the majority of patients.
The new method of referencing the medial malleolus assesses fibular position independent of talar rotation. The data, when referencing the medial malleolus, do not show significant variation in fibular position in patients with and without ankle instability.
A case of bilateral accessory calcanii is presented in which the accessory ossicle articulated with the talus and calcaneus at the lateral aspect of the posterior facet of the subtalar joint, causing premature subtalar degenerative changes in a 19-year-old man. Although rare and usually asymptomatic, accessory ossicles around the foot may need surgical excision if painful or if sufficient size is obtained to cause deformity and/or limitations in range of motion.
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