11:39
Published March 15, 2022

Repair of the Deltoid Ligament With Posterior Tibial Tendon Augmentation

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), which leads to a progressive foot deformity, starts with loss of the medial longitudinal arch, valgus malalignment of the hindfoot, and abduction of the forefoot. In advanced stages of PTTD, the deltoid ligament is involved, causing either a flexible or a rigid deformity at the level of the tibiotalar joint. In addition to correction of the foot deformity via triple or double fusion and calcaneal osteotomy, deltoid reconstruction should not be overlooked in treatment of such conditions to rebuild medial ankle stability. In spite of the existence of multiple techniques to reconstruct the deltoid ligaments, none of them has been universally adapted for this purpose. Literature has suggested the use of suture and suture anchors, suture tape, and nonanatomic allograft repair with plantaris, peroneal, and extensor halluces longus tendons to repair and augment the deltoid ligament. However, the literature regarding the use of posterior tibial tendon to augment the deltoid ligament in accordance with hindfoot fusion for end-stage PTTD deformity is sparse. This presentation describes a novel technique to augment the direct repair of the deltoid ligament by taking advantage of the intact broad insertion of the posterior tibial tendon on the medial column, cutting the proximal end of the tendon, and transferring it to the medial malleolus to act as a static stabilizer.