Tibialis posterior rupture

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Original Editors

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Search Strategy

Databases Searched: Pubmed, ADB, web of knowledge, PEDro, The Journal of Joint and Bone Surgery, Dynamed, PhysioAdvisor

Keyword Searches: tibialis posterior tendon (TPT) , tibialis posterior rupture (TPR), tibialis posterior tendon rupture (TPTR), TPTR treatment, TPTR postoperative treatment, flatfoot, pes planovalgus, tendinitis 

Definition/Description

Whenever the tibialis posterior muscle contracts or is stretched, tension is placed through the tibialis posterior tendon. If this tension is excessive due to too much force or repetition, damage to the tibialis posterior tendon may occur. This can range from minor tearing of the tendon with subsequent inflammation to a complete tibialis posterior tendon rupture. Early diagnosis and surgical repair will restore full normal function.

A rupture of the posterior tibial tendon can be easily missed because the symptoms of this injury resemble the symptoms of a normal ankle sprain. Some physicians may feel that posterior tibial tendon rupture is a rare condition, one that they have never seen.

 

Epidemiology /Etiology

Posterior tibialis tendon ruptures occur predominantly in the late middle-aged population (average age 57 years). For posterior tibialis dysfunction, the patient is typically a female over the age of 40 who exhibits ligamentous laxity in multiple joints and has an occupation that requires extended periods of standing. They usually do not recall any acute traumatic event. There is another subset of the populations in which posterior tibial tendon insufficiency occurs and that consists of the 20- to 40-year old athletes. They usually recall a traumatic event, usually a direct blow to the medial malleolus. Or, they present with years of involvement in athletics with a pronated foot. 

Characteristics/Clinical Presentation

• Swelling along the medial aspect of the foot and ankle
• Absence of the classical sudden severe pain of a tendon rupture
• Tenderness along the posterior tibialis tendon
• Progressive loss of longitudinal arch → pes planus and heel valgus
• Palpable pain between medial malleolus and navicular
• Pain in the plantar medial arch

Differential Diagnosis

• Attenuation or rupture of the calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament complex
• Degenerative arthritis of the ankle joint with valgus talar
• Arthritis of the talonavicular joint
• Posttraumatic tarsometatarsal (Lisfranc) joint arthritis
• Inflammatory arthritis of the hindfoot, usually secondary to rheumatoid disease

 

Diagnostic Procedures

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Outcome Measures

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Examination

Observation:

Posterior tibialis tendon rupture is strongly suspected in patients presenting a complex of findings. These include:

• Eversion ankle injury
• Generalized medial ankle pain
• Medial ankle swelling
• Flexible, asymmetric pes planus and forefoot pronation
• Gait disturbance secondary to deformity
• Talonavicular sag in lateral standing radiograph

The first four findings are nondiagnostic, however, seen together they are helpful in identifying patients with posterior tibialis tendon pathology. Manual testing of the posteroir tibialis tendon should be performed in the presence of these findings to confirm the tendon's functional status.

Tests:

• Palpation from area between malleolus medialis and os naviculare
• “Too many toes” sign secondary to an increase in forefoot abduction and heel eversion
• Nonfunctional posterior tibialis tendon on manual testing
• Motion of the ankle and subtalar joints
• Positive first metatarsal rise sign test
• Positive single-limb heel rise-test
• Ottawa ankle rules test to exclude fractures within the first week after an ankle injury

Medical Management

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Physical Therapy Management

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Key Research

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Resources

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Clinical Bottom Line

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Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)

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References

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