Audit of foot and ankle surgeons' management of acute peroneal tendon tears and review of management protocols.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this audit was to identify whether there is consistent and successful management of acute peroneal tendon tears within orthopaedic foot and ankle consultants in the Wessex area of the UK. It was suspected that there was an absence of consistency between surgeons' practices and a more evidenced based management protocol could be developed.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A questionnaire of the orthopaedic surgeons in Wessex investigated whether there was consistency in surgical management of peroneal tears.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrate that each of the nine surgeons' management of acute peroneal tendon tears varied greatly.

CONCLUSION

The evidence in the literature was examined in an attempt to produce a protocol to aid surgical decision-making. A randomised controlled trial is required for consistent evidenced based surgical management of peroneal tendon tears.