[Injuries of the peroneal tendons : Often overlooked]. / Verletzungen der Peronealsehnen : Häufig übersehen.

CLINICAL ISSUE: Injuries of the peroneal tendons are rare and often overlooked. Typical pathologies are tendinitis, tears and dislocation. Accompanying injuries are fractures. They are often associated with instability in the ankle and rearfoot deformities; therefore, these pathologies should be excluded or taken into consideration in the treatment. The clinical examination is crucial for the diagnosis. DIAGNOSTIC WORK-UP: Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations are very helpful; however, the true extent of the tendon pathology is often first seen during surgery. Bony injuries and deformities are assessed radiographically and by computed tomography (CT). PERFORMANCE: Although conservative treatment is generally used at the beginning of therapy, progression is more likely to occur in the case of tears; therefore, the correct timing for an operative therapy should not be missed. Dislocations are the domain of operative therapy. Acute tendinitis, on the other hand, is usually accessible to conservative therapy if it is not the result of a gross deformity. ACHIEVEMENTS: Rehabilitation after operative treatment is demanding and prolonged especially after operative therapy of peroneal tendon tears. The results to be expected appear promising.

[Dislocation fractures in the area of the middle foot--injuries of the Chopart and Lisfranc joint]. / Luxationsfrakturen im Mittelfussbereich--Verletzungen des Chopart- und Lisfranc-Gelenkes.

Dislocation fractures of the Chopart and Lisfranc joint line result from rough force and lead to articular incongruities, complex derangement of the plantar arc geometry and shortening of the medial or lateral column of the foot. These injuries are often complicated by severe soft tissue damage causing a high incidence of compartment syndrome. Beside careful clinical examination radiographs in 3 standard projections are essential for the exact diagnosis, if necessary completed by conventional tomographies or CT. To avoid residual joint incongruities and derangements of the anatomic architecture resulting in disabling arthrosis the indications for open reduction and functionally stable osteosynthesis should be broad. Concerning injuries of the Chopart joint any shortening of the medial or lateral column--especially if there is a substantial impression of the articular surface--should be reduced. Osseous defects have to be filled with autogenous cancellous bone and are stabilized with transarticular K-wires, 2.7 mm or 3.5 mm screws or small plates. Dislocation-fractures of the Lisfranc joint can be fixed by percutaneous K-wires if a closed reduction is possible. Open reduction and internal fixation are indicated in cases of instable and irresponsible fractures, and in open fractures as well as in lesions presenting with a compartment syndrome. A precise anatomic reduction of the tarsometatarsal joints is critical after this kind of injuries to avoid long-term disability.

[Complex trauma of the foot]. / Komplextrauma des Fusses.

Following complex foot injuries (incidence up to 52%) in the multiply-injured patient the ultimate goal remains the same as for all significant foot injuries: the restoration of a painless, stable and plantigrade foot to avoid corrective procedures with moderate results. In the case of a complex trauma of the foot (5 point-score)--e.g. a crush injury--primary amputation in the multiply-injured patient (PTS 3-4) is indicated. Limb salvage (PTS 1-2) depends on the intraoperative aspect during the second look (within 24-48 hours after injury): the debridement has to be radical, the selection of amputation level should be at the most distal point compatible with tissue viability and wound healing. A free tissue transfer should be done early if necessary. Single lesions presenting with a compartment syndrome need an immediate dorsal fasciotomy, in the case of a multiply-injured patient as soon as possible. Open fractures are reduced following radical debridement and temporarily stabilized with K-wires and/or tibiotarsal transfixation with an external fixateur until the definitive ORIF. Dislocation-fractures of the talus type 3 and 4 according to Hawkins' classification need open reduction and internal fixation by screws (titan). Open fractures of the calcaneus are stabilized temporarily by a medial external fixateur after debridement until the definitive treatment. If there is a compartment syndrome an immediate dermatofasciotomy is essential. Like closed, calcanear fractures in multiply-injured patients dislocation-fractures of the Chopart's joint need immediate open reduction only if it is an open fracture or associated with a compartment syndrome. The incidence of a compartment syndrome in the case of dislocation fractures of the Lisfranc's joint is high and therefore a dorsal dermatofasciotomy without delay is critical. Open reduction and internal fixation are achieved either by 1.8 mm K-wires or 3.5 mm cortical screws. To avoid further soft tissue damage a delayed primary closure can be necessary and a temporary tibio-tarsal transfixation is useful. Despite the life-threatening injuries of the multiply-injured patient one must insist on an exact diagnosis of the foot trauma (radiographs in 3 standard projections: exact lateral, dorso-plantar, 45 degrees oblique) if long-term disability due to articular incongruities and complex derangement of the arc geometry of the foot is to be avoided.

Complex trauma of the foot.

Following complex foot injuries (incidence up to 52 %) in the multiply-injured patient the ultimate goal remains the same as for all significant foot injuries: the restoration of a painless, stable and plantigrade foot to avoid corrective procedures with moderate results. In the case of a complex trauma of the foot (5 point-score) - e. g. a crush injury - primary amputation in the multiply-injured patient (PTS 3-4) is indicated. Limb salvage (PTS 1-2) depends on the intraoperative aspect during the second look (within 24-48 hours after injury): the debridement has to be radical, the selection of amputation level should be at the most distal point compatible with tissue viability and wound healing. A free tissue transfer should be done early if necessary. Single lesions presenting with a compartment syndrome need an immediate dorsal fasciotomy, in the case of a multiply-injured patient as soon as possible. Open fractures are reduced following radical debridement and temporarily stabilized with K-wires and/or tibiotarsal transfixation with an external fixateur until the definitive ORIF. Dislocation-fractures of the talus type 3 and 4 according to Hawkins' classification need open reduction and internal fixation by screws (titan). Open fractures of the calcaneus are stabilized temporarily by a medial external fixateur after debridement until the definitive treatment. If there is a compartment syndrome an immediate dermatofasciotomy is essential. Like closed, calcanear fractures in multiply-injured patients dislocation-fractures of the Chopart's joint need immediate open reduction only if it is an open fracture or associated with a compartment syndrome. The incidence of a compartment syndrome in the case of dislocation fractures of the Lisfranc's joint is high and therefore a dorsal dermatofasciotomy without delay is critical. Open reduction and internal fixation are achieved either by 1.8 mm K-wires or 3.5 mm cortical screws. To avoid further soft tissue damage a delayed primary closure can be necessary and a temporary tibio-tarsal transfixation is useful. Despite the life-threatening injuries of the multiply-injured patient one must insist on an exact diagnosis of the foot trauma (radiographs in 3 standard projections: exact lateral, dorso-plantar, 45° oblique) if long-term disability due to articular incongruities and complex derangement of the arc geometry of the foot is to be avoided.