ACTION OF THE PERONEUS LONGUS TENDON ON THE FIRST METATARSAL AGAINST METATARSUS PRIMUS VARUS FORCE

A medially directed force was applied to the first metatarsal in 10 ca daver feet. The peroneus longus tendon was subjected to a pull of 5 po unds. The soft tissues between the first and second metatarsals were c ut sequentially, starting with the skin on the dorsal and plantar aspe ct, followed by the intermetatarsal ligament and adductor hallucis ten don, and, finally, the peroneus longus tendon at its distal insertion. Dorsoplantar radiographs while weightbearing were taken after each se ctioning. A statistically significant varus displacement of the first metatarsal was observed only after transection of the peroneus longus tendon. It was concluded that the peroneus longus tendon is a strong r etaining mechanism of the first metatarsal.