Endoscopic All-inside Repair of the Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon in Posterior Ankle Impingement Patients

Abstract

Longitudinal flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon tears are sometimes complicated by posterior ankle impingement syndrome (PAIS), especially in ballet dancers. In recent years, PAIS has been treated endoscopically, but it is difficult to suture FHL tendon tears endoscopically. In this report, we describe how to suture the FHL tendon endoscopically with the Meniscal Viper Repair system (Arthrex, Naples, FL). Without our endoscopic technique, when a patient is found to have a longitudinal tear of the FHL under endoscopy, we must choose to either neglect the tear or convert to an open repair. Open tendon suture techniques have reportedly had relatively good results but require a longer skin incision than endoscopic surgery for PAIS. Compared with the open repair, the advantages of our technique include earlier recovery, less pain, a lower rate of soft tissue complications, and improved healing through better preservation of the blood supply. This technique is an attractive and useful option because it is an easy and safe method for longitudinal FHL tendon tears.