No abstract

Background: To date, only a few studies have reported postoperative changes in coronal ankle alignment after valgus knee correction through medial closing wedge distal femoral varization osteotomy (MCWDFO). This study aimed to measure the changes of MCWDFO on coronal ankle and hindfoot alignment. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the radiographic findings of 27 consecutive patients (34 cases) with knee valgus malalignment who underwent MCWDFO for either lateral knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) or recurrent patellar subluxation/dislocation (RPD). Several radiographic parameters were measured and compared based on the reason for operation, followed by the status of preoperative hindfoot alignment (hindfoot alignment angle [HAA] > 4 degrees, varus; −4 degrees ≤HAA ≤ 4 degrees, neutral; HAA < −4 degrees, valgus) in each group. Results: Overall, pre- and postoperative hindfoot alignments were within the neutral alignment range and were not significantly changed after the operation ( P > .05). Nineteen cases were for lateral knee OA and 15 were for RPD, respectively. In both groups, preoperative neutral hindfoot alignments accounted for the largest portion (52.6% in the lateral OA group; 80.0% in the RPD group). Postoperatively, regardless of the reason for operation, hindfoot alignments changed toward the neutral range in all subgroups (ie, no changes in the preoperative neutral group; increased in the valgus group; decreased in the varus group). Conclusion: We recommend that surgeons leave the hindfoot untouched when they plan the MCWDFO to correct knee joint valgus malalignment concomitant with hindfoot valgus or varus deviation as the hindfoot malalignment appears to change toward the neutral range postoperatively. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Anterior tibialis ruptures are a rare type of injury related to the foot and ankle. Specifically, chronic and non-traumatic ruptures are related to preexisting chronic tendinopathic conditions and anatomical factors. These ruptures may cause persistent pain and functional impairments if neglected. Chronic tibialis anterior ruptures are frequently diagnosed late because the symptoms are not distinct. In cases with chronic or non-traumatic tibialis anterior tendon ruptures, tendons often become irreparable. Hence, various surgical options have been introduced to address this issue. The current surgical treatment options are as follows: free sliding anterior tibialis graft, extensor hallucis longus tendon transfer, and reconstruction with an allograft tendon. To date, there have been few reports about the reconstruction technique using Z-plasty for irreparable tibialis anterior tendon ruptures. In this report, we present a rare case of the application of the tibialis anterior tendon reconstruction technique using Z-plasty and tenodesis for a middle-aged man with an irreparable avulsion injury rupture. We also present the management plan and prognostic outlook, as well as a subsequent review of the relevant literature.