Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery (Asia Pacific)

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VOLUME 6 , ISSUE 1 ( January-June, 2019 ) > List of Articles

CASE REPORT

Entrapment of Extensor Hallucis Longus Tendon in Fracture Callus Leading to Dropped Hallux: A Case Report

Gautam Rava, Pranjal Mahanta

Keywords : Distal tibia fracture, Fracture callus, Tendon entrapment

Citation Information : Rava G, Mahanta P. Entrapment of Extensor Hallucis Longus Tendon in Fracture Callus Leading to Dropped Hallux: A Case Report. J Foot Ankle Surg Asia-Pacific 2019; 6 (1):25-27.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10040-1102

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 01-06-2019

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2019; The Author(s).


Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to describe a case of isolated extensor hallucis longus (EHL) dysfunction leading to dropped hallux, which to our belief is due to entrapment of EHL tendon in the fracture callus following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and autologous bone grafting of nonunion of distal 1/3 tibia fracture. Background: Dropped hallux due to EHL dysfunction is a problematic condition because during the swing phase of the gait cycle, the hallux drags across the ground surface leading to altered gait pattern. Isolated dysfunctions of EHL due to various causes are rarely described in the literature. Case description: Dropped hallux in a 61-year-old lady with nonunion distal 1/3 tibia fracture, treated by ORIF with interlocking nail and autologous bone grafting, after the fracture was united, which got corrected after surgical release of the tendon from fracture callus and EHL anastomosis to extensor digitorium longus (EDL) tendon. Conclusion: Awareness of the possibility of entrapment of long tendons in fracture callus leading to their dysfunction, where a simple release and anastomosis of tendon could correct their function, provided the tendon is viable. Clinical significance: Tendon adherence to fracture callus leading to dropped hallux as a differential diagnosis in cases of isolated EHL dysfunction in distal 1/3 tibia fracture.


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