THE DIFFICULT DIAGNOSIS OF POSTERIOR TIBIALIS TENDON-RUPTURE IN SPORTS INJURIES

Posterior tibialis tendon rupture is a diagnosis that is often missed in spots-related injuries. This is thought to be secondary to the nons pecific clinical findings in healthy active individuals, and the lack of any laboratory or radiographic test to reliably confirm the diagnos is. We report five cases of surgically confirmed posterior tibialis te ndon rupture secondary to sports-related trauma, Based on our review o f these patients, the diagnosis of posterior tibialis tendon rupture s hould be strongly suspected in the adult patient presenting with a his tory of a twisting ankle injury, especially in the setting of high-imp act loading and generalized medial ankle pain and swelling, A flexible asymmetric pes planus and forefoot pronation deformity with absence o f posterior tibialis tendon function on manual testing is seen on exam ination, The patient is usually unable to perform ipsilateral single l eg heel rise and has less severe pes planus of the contralateral foot, This study reviews the presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of posterior tibialis tendon rupture.