Tendon tear after lower leg fracture
June 24, 2011 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ralf Berg
While skateboarding, I suffered a spiral fracture of the tibia and a 2nd degree fracture of the fibula. It was treated medically with the insertion of a tibia plate. The surgery went without complications. Now, after 7 weeks, it has been determined that the long toe extensor is not functioning. Nerve signals are normal, and an ultrasound revealed a probable tendon interruption. The surgical scars consist of two incisions running lengthwise along the shin for the insertion and screwing of the tibia plate, and a cross stitch of approximately 4 cm in the area between the foot and shin, the necessity of which is unclear to me. Could it be that this tendon was injured during the surgery, and what is the purpose of this cross stitch?
Hello,
Regarding your first question: Accidental cutting of the tendon is possible, but on the other hand, quite unlikely (it could have only happened in the area of the cross seam), as the extensor tendon is superficially located and usually easily visible, and in the transition area between the foot and the ankle it is very strong and not easily accidentally cut.
To answer the second question of why another incision was necessary in the cross seam area, the surgical method would need to be known or clarification could be sought from the surgeon.
In the case of spiral fractures or involvement of the fibula, fixation screws may sometimes be inserted to fix bone fragments or to maintain the distance between the tibia and fibula at this location (as both ankle bones were broken). It is common for a process of the fibula to break distally (at the bottom) and require additional fixation.
This should be clarified with the surgical report and X-ray. If you do not want to discuss this directly with your surgeon, you can alternatively present your problem to a practicing (preferably also surgical) surgeon and request the surgical report and X-rays from them to discuss it further.
Best regards,
Dr. R. Berg
