IPSILATERAL PERONEUS BREVIS TENDON GRAFTING IN A COMPLICATED CASE OF TRAUMATIC RUPTURE OF TIBIALIS ANTERIOR TENDON

Ruptures of tibialis anterior tendon can be caused by open, closed, di rect, or indirect trauma, as well as spontaneously. Sixty-three cases of tibialis anterior tendon ruptures have been reported in the interna tional literature. The treatment of choice is the surgical end-to-end or side-to-side anastomosis after previous Z-lengthening. The case of a 28-year-old world-class female triathlete who sustained an open lace ration of the tibialis anterior tendon from the bicycle chain guard is reported. The primarily applied tendon suture became infected and a w ound revision with wide resection of the tendon stumps was necessary, This lead to an extensive defect of the tendon combined with a deep-se ated keloidal scar reaction of the skin. The surgical closure was perf ormed using free ipsilateral peroneus brevis tendon grafting. Four mon ths after the operation the patient was completely rehabilitated. Eigh t months later she became the second European triathlon champion.