J Korean Foot Ankle Soc.  2023 Jun;27(2):55-57. 10.14193/jkfas.2023.27.2.55.

Clinical Features of Tibialis Anterior Tendon Rupture

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Daejeon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon, Korea

Abstract

Purpose
Tibialis anterior tendon rupture is uncommon and usually caused by laceration. Rupture with an open window is often considered simple laceration, and thus diagnosis is often overlooked or delayed. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical features of tibialis anterior tendon rupture.
Materials and Methods
Twenty-two patients treated for tibialis anterior tendon rupture from March 2015 to December 2019 were examined. Age, sex, rupture etiology, rupture location, and diagnostic and treatment delays were investigated.
Results
Mean patient age was 45.7 years, and there were 14 males and 8 females. In 18 cases, rupture was caused by laceration and in 4 by spontaneous rupture. Of the 18 cases caused by laceration, 8 were lawnmower related, 8 were glass injuries, and 2 were caused by crush or degloving injuries, respectively. Three of the 4 spontaneous rupture cases and 4 of the 18 caused by laceration were overlooked.
Conclusion
Tibialis anterior tendon rupture is rare and is easily overlooked. Close physical examination is essential to arrive at a correct initial diagnosis in patients with acute or chronic rupture, and greater care is needed in cases of glass injury.

Keyword

Tibialis anterior; Tibialis anterior tendon rupture; Clinical features

Reference

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