Abstract
Material and Methods: This prospective study included 15 patients, 9 males and 6 females, who have been scoped for peroneal tendon disorder between 1999 and 2004. All patients were diagnosed clinically to have chronic peroneal tendon dysfunction and all had conventional x-ray films, ultrasonographic assessment and magnetic resonance imaging. The mean age was 44 (range 23 to 65). The mean duration of symptoms were 16 (range from 2 to 65). All patient had a trial of conservative treatment before being referred to us.
Results: 7 patients was found to have tenosynovitis, which could be resected endoscopically in all cases. In 2 patients a low lying muscle belly (LLMB) of peroneus brevis was present; this could be resected with a shaver very easily. 1 patient had a peroneal tendon instability. This was surgical treated in an open technique with reconstruction of the retinaculum. In 5 patients we could document partial lesions of the peroneal tendons (fig.6,7). This were posttraumtic after a supination trauma in 2 patients and degenerative in the remaining 3 patients. In 4 patients this could be treated minimal invasive with debridement. In one patient a traumatic longitudinal splitting tear was reconstructed with open surgery.
At time of follow up (average 2.8 years; range: 78– 18 months) all patients where without symptom on average 3 months (range: 4 – 17 weeks) after surgery. They where able to perform all activities of daily living as well as moderate athletic activities such as jogging and biking. These clinical results where stable until the time of follow-up.
Clincal relevance: Tendoscopy of the peroneal tendons is an effective and minimal invasive management tool, that can be indicated in many of peroneal disorders. Further studied are needed at that respect to improve results and promote minimal invasive surgical techniques.
Correspondence should be addressed to: EFORT Central Office, Technoparkstrasse 1, CH – 8005 Zürich, Switzerland. Email: office@efort.org