Neglected tendoachilles tear treated with flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer

Abstract

Background: Neglected tendoachilles tear is one of the common condition that surgeons encounter and also difficult to manage. In Indian setting the most common reason for tendoachilles tear is lavatory pan injury, followed by road traffic accident. Various methods of treating neglected tendoachilles tear are described in literature but no single method is stated as ideal.Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the technique, difficulties and functional outcome of neglected tendoachilles tear treated with flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer.Materials and Methods: 10 Patients with neglected tendoachilles tear (>4 weeks) are treated with flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer are included in this study. Pre-operative evaluation done both clinically and radio logically. All patients are followed up for a maximum period of 9 months and evaluated at 2 weeks,1,3,6, and 9 months. During follow-up all patients are evaluated using American Orthopaedic Association Foot and Ankle Score.Results: All patients with neglected tendoachilles tear treated with flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer showed an average AOFAS score of 88 and was able to do single heel raise test. All patients have difficulty in hallux interphalangeal joint flexion, but no patients have difficulty in doing day to day activities.Conclusion: Flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer for neglected tendoachilles showed good clinical outcome and patient’s satisfaction with insignificant and minimal complications.