Anterior transfer of tibialis posterior tendon for treating drop foot: Technique of enforcing tendon implantation to improve success rate.

UNLABELLED: An absolutely convincing technique of anterior transfer of the tibialis posterior (TP) tendon for treating drop foot has not been developed. Thirty-seven consecutive adult patients with drop foot owing to deep peroneal nerve injury were treated with bone-to-bone TP tendon transfer. The TP tendon with a small bony attachment was procured from the undersurface of the navicula and then transferred through a tunnel of the interosseous membrane. The navicular attachment was implanted in the tunnel of the navicula or intermediate cuneiform. Cancellous bone graft procured from the distal tibial metaphysis was packed into the tunnel inlet. Side-to-side tendon suturing was performed between the TP tendon and tibialis anterior tendon. Thirty-one patients were followed for a mean of 2.8 years (range, 1.2-4.8 years), and all achieved satisfactory outcome for the ankle. All patients achieved a normal gait after one year and at the latest follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: The described technique may provide a high success rate. This surgical technique is not complex, and complications are few.