Neglected and Large Defect of Extensor Hallucis Longus Tendon Injuries reconstructed by Double looping with Extensor Digitorum Longus by an Improvised Surgical Method

Introduction: Laceration to the dorsum of the foot is usually associated with injury to the extensor hallucis longus (EHL) tendon. But in chronic cases or neglected EHL injuries, the patient develops EHL dysfunction causing a flexion deformity of the great toe at the level of the IP joint. There are...

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Main Authors: Makesh Ram Sriraghavan, Poornima Kumararja, Pavalan Louis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publisher 2023-07-01
Series:Journal of Orthopedics and Joint Surgery
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.jojs.in/doi/JOJS/pdf/10.5005/jojs-10079-1115
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author Makesh Ram Sriraghavan
Poornima Kumararja
Pavalan Louis
author_facet Makesh Ram Sriraghavan
Poornima Kumararja
Pavalan Louis
author_sort Makesh Ram Sriraghavan
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Laceration to the dorsum of the foot is usually associated with injury to the extensor hallucis longus (EHL) tendon. But in chronic cases or neglected EHL injuries, the patient develops EHL dysfunction causing a flexion deformity of the great toe at the level of the IP joint. There are various methods (autograft and allograft) for the treatment of large defects in EHL tendons. Tendon diameter mismatch and diminished resistance are common issues in other tendon transfers. Materials and methods: This study had 12 patients with EHL injuries—reconstructed by double looping with extensor digitorum longus (EDL) done from 1<sup>st</sup> September 2019 to 28<sup>th</sup> February 2023. But intraoperatively, there was a defect of up to 4–6 cm and so in all cases, EDL of the second toe was rerouted and double looping done, and transferred to EHL. The distal part of EDL was tenodesed with extensor digitorum brevis (EDB). In the case of associated fractures, they were anatomically reduced and the EHL defect was repaired. Results and discussion: This is a surgical technique where rerouting of EDL of the second toe along with the EHL and to improve the results further both the tendons were enclosed in the paratenon to promote good tendon healing and to prevent adhesions. This technique provides greater tensile strength and better function. At the final follow-up, all patients recovered with good active hallux extension with good functional results. No reruptures or other complications were reported in this group of patients. Conclusion: Second EDL-to-EHL double loop transfer for EHL reconstruction is a safe, reproducible, and low-cost technique to address EHL ruptures when a primary repair is not possible.
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spelling doaj-art-bc60f7db2c064f18adbb00051f07e0d92025-08-20T04:02:09ZengJaypee Brothers Medical PublisherJournal of Orthopedics and Joint Surgery2582-78632023-07-0152505510.5005/jojs-10079-11153Neglected and Large Defect of Extensor Hallucis Longus Tendon Injuries reconstructed by Double looping with Extensor Digitorum Longus by an Improvised Surgical MethodMakesh Ram Sriraghavan0Poornima Kumararja1Pavalan Louis2Department of Orthopaedics, Government Thoothukudi Medical College, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India, Phone: +91 9841617765Department of Pathology, ACS Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaDepartment of Orthopaedics, Government Thoothukudi Medical College, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, IndiaIntroduction: Laceration to the dorsum of the foot is usually associated with injury to the extensor hallucis longus (EHL) tendon. But in chronic cases or neglected EHL injuries, the patient develops EHL dysfunction causing a flexion deformity of the great toe at the level of the IP joint. There are various methods (autograft and allograft) for the treatment of large defects in EHL tendons. Tendon diameter mismatch and diminished resistance are common issues in other tendon transfers. Materials and methods: This study had 12 patients with EHL injuries—reconstructed by double looping with extensor digitorum longus (EDL) done from 1<sup>st</sup> September 2019 to 28<sup>th</sup> February 2023. But intraoperatively, there was a defect of up to 4–6 cm and so in all cases, EDL of the second toe was rerouted and double looping done, and transferred to EHL. The distal part of EDL was tenodesed with extensor digitorum brevis (EDB). In the case of associated fractures, they were anatomically reduced and the EHL defect was repaired. Results and discussion: This is a surgical technique where rerouting of EDL of the second toe along with the EHL and to improve the results further both the tendons were enclosed in the paratenon to promote good tendon healing and to prevent adhesions. This technique provides greater tensile strength and better function. At the final follow-up, all patients recovered with good active hallux extension with good functional results. No reruptures or other complications were reported in this group of patients. Conclusion: Second EDL-to-EHL double loop transfer for EHL reconstruction is a safe, reproducible, and low-cost technique to address EHL ruptures when a primary repair is not possible.https://www.jojs.in/doi/JOJS/pdf/10.5005/jojs-10079-1115allograftautograftlisfranc injurymetatarsal fractureparatenonrehabilitationtenodesistendon reconstruction
spellingShingle Makesh Ram Sriraghavan
Poornima Kumararja
Pavalan Louis
Neglected and Large Defect of Extensor Hallucis Longus Tendon Injuries reconstructed by Double looping with Extensor Digitorum Longus by an Improvised Surgical Method
Journal of Orthopedics and Joint Surgery
allograft
autograft
lisfranc injury
metatarsal fracture
paratenon
rehabilitation
tenodesis
tendon reconstruction
title Neglected and Large Defect of Extensor Hallucis Longus Tendon Injuries reconstructed by Double looping with Extensor Digitorum Longus by an Improvised Surgical Method
title_full Neglected and Large Defect of Extensor Hallucis Longus Tendon Injuries reconstructed by Double looping with Extensor Digitorum Longus by an Improvised Surgical Method
title_fullStr Neglected and Large Defect of Extensor Hallucis Longus Tendon Injuries reconstructed by Double looping with Extensor Digitorum Longus by an Improvised Surgical Method
title_full_unstemmed Neglected and Large Defect of Extensor Hallucis Longus Tendon Injuries reconstructed by Double looping with Extensor Digitorum Longus by an Improvised Surgical Method
title_short Neglected and Large Defect of Extensor Hallucis Longus Tendon Injuries reconstructed by Double looping with Extensor Digitorum Longus by an Improvised Surgical Method
title_sort neglected and large defect of extensor hallucis longus tendon injuries reconstructed by double looping with extensor digitorum longus by an improvised surgical method
topic allograft
autograft
lisfranc injury
metatarsal fracture
paratenon
rehabilitation
tenodesis
tendon reconstruction
url https://www.jojs.in/doi/JOJS/pdf/10.5005/jojs-10079-1115
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AT poornimakumararja neglectedandlargedefectofextensorhallucislongustendoninjuriesreconstructedbydoubleloopingwithextensordigitorumlongusbyanimprovisedsurgicalmethod
AT pavalanlouis neglectedandlargedefectofextensorhallucislongustendoninjuriesreconstructedbydoubleloopingwithextensordigitorumlongusbyanimprovisedsurgicalmethod