Maribel da Rocha Gomes1, André Pereira Pinto2, Alírio Arnoldo Fabián3, Tiago José Mota Gomes4, Alfons Navarro4, Xavier Martin Oliva5. 1. Department of Orthopedics, Hospital da Senhora da Oliveira, Guimarães, Portugal. Electronic address: maribelgomes@hospitaldeguimaraes.min-saude.pt. 2. Department of Orthopedics, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. 3. Department of Orthopedics, Hospital de San Juan de Dios, Guatemala City, Guatemala. 4. Human Anatomy and Embryology Unit, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain. 5. Department of Orthopedics, Clinica Del Remei, Department of Anatomy and Human Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Peroneal Tendon (PT) complex is formed by the Peroneus Longus Tendon (PLT) and Peroneus Brevis Tendon (PBT), their synovial sheath, the superior and inferior retinaculum, and the Os Peroneum (OP). Their insertion is associated with some anatomic variability. Knowing these variants helps to understand the PT pathology and it may support the decision-making concerning the operative approach. The purpose of this study was to assess anatomical variability in PT insertion. METHODS: Twenty fresh-frozen cadaveric feet were used. The lateral part of the ankle, foot and sole were dissected to expose PLT and PBT course and distal insertions. RESULTS: Concerning the PBT, eleven feet had a normal insertion in the base of the fifth metatarsal; the other nine had a variability. Regarding the PLT, thirteen out of twenty had the normal insertion in the first metatarsal; the remaining seven had anatomical variants. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found a great variability in the insertional anatomy of PBT and PLT. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is important that orthopedic surgeons are aware of the great variability of PT anatomical insertion when performing foot and ankle surgery, in order to avoid possible complications, for instance a PLT injury during preparation of tarso-metatarsal arthrodeses.
BACKGROUND: Peroneal Tendon (PT) complex is formed by the Peroneus Longus Tendon (PLT) and Peroneus Brevis Tendon (PBT), their synovial sheath, the superior and inferior retinaculum, and the Os Peroneum (OP). Their insertion is associated with some anatomic variability. Knowing these variants helps to understand the PT pathology and it may support the decision-making concerning the operative approach. The purpose of this study was to assess anatomical variability in PT insertion. METHODS: Twenty fresh-frozen cadaveric feet were used. The lateral part of the ankle, foot and sole were dissected to expose PLT and PBT course and distal insertions. RESULTS: Concerning the PBT, eleven feet had a normal insertion in the base of the fifth metatarsal; the other nine had a variability. Regarding the PLT, thirteen out of twenty had the normal insertion in the first metatarsal; the remaining seven had anatomical variants. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found a great variability in the insertional anatomy of PBT and PLT. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is important that orthopedic surgeons are aware of the great variability of PT anatomical insertion when performing foot and ankle surgery, in order to avoid possible complications, for instance a PLT injury during preparation of tarso-metatarsal arthrodeses.