Lateral ankle anatomical variants predisposing to peroneal tendon impingement

Abstract

Purpose: To delineate the significant association between the peroneal tendons injury and the lateral ankle joint anatomical variants.

Subjects: Retrospective revision of the last 600 ankle MRI examinations, with dividing such candidates into: Group A: Inclusion group including patients with pure Peroneal tendon injury & lateral ankle anatomical variants. Group B: Control group including patients with Peroneal Tendonsinjury & no anatomical variants. Group C: Exclusion group including patients with other different types of ankle injuries.

Technique: Standard MRI ankle joint protocols.

Results: Group A: 73 patients (40.3%) had PTT including: straight/convex RMG in 48 (26.5%) patients; 19 of them (39.6%) had PTT, PT hypertrophy in 39 (21.6%) patients; 14 (35.9%) of them had PTT. RCE hypertrophy in 33 (18.3%) patients; 12 of them (36.4%) had PTT. PQ muscle was seen in 15 (8.3%) patients; 7 (46.7%) of them had PTT. Low PB muscle belly was found in 29 (16%) patients; 13 (44.9%) of them had PTT. OP was found in 17 (9.3%) patients; 8 (47%) of them had PTT. Group B: 26 of them (18%) had PTT. Fisher exact test 0 P value.

Conclusion: The lateral ankle joint anatomical variants facilitate peroneal tendons injury, ending in chronic lateral joint instability.