Does flexor hallucis longus groove morphology have an effect on flexor hallucis longus tendon pathologies?

BACKGROUND

Our main aim in the present study is to investigate the effect of flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon groove morphology on FHL tendon pathologies.

METHODS

Patients who underwent posterior ankle arthroscopy in our clinic between January 2002 and November 2021 were analyzed. FHL tendon degeneration levels via Arthroscopic video records and FHL groove morphologhy via T1 axial MR imagings were compared.

RESULTS

While FHL degeneration was more seen in U-type and L-type groove morphologies and groove types with increased depth. Less flexor hallucis longus degeneration was seen in bracket-type, grooves with increased opening angle and shallow grooves.

DISCUSSION: FHL tendon groove morphology may affect tendon pathologies. A correlation may exist between the morphological types and morphometric measurements of the groove and the arthroscopic grade of FHL degeneration. Greater groove depth may be associated with increased FHL degeneration, whereas a wider opening angle may have a protective effect against degeneration.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.