Posterior tibial tendonitis surgery restructures the posterior tibial tendon.
What is it?
Posterior tibial tendonitis can be repaired by surgery if non-surgical methods are not effective. The posterior tibial tendon is a strand of fibrous connective tissue that connects the gastrocnemius muscle to the bones of the inner foot. Injuries to this tendon are more likely to occur in active people who rely on stressful, repetitive motions such as soccer players and basketball players.
What should I do to prepare?
Before receiving surgery, the patient should consult with a physician or surgeon to determine if this surgery is the proper course of action. X-rays and other diagnostic imaging techniques are used to develop a treatment plan. Medication plans and fasting routines may be necessary depending on the surgeon’s guidelines. Posterior tibial tendonitis surgery is typically an outpatient procedure, but the patient should be prepared to remain at the hospital for post-surgical evaluation. Additionally, the patient should arrange travel accommodations in advance.
What happens during the process?
General or local anesthesia is used to prepare the ankle region for operation. When the anesthetic effects are felt, the surgeon makes a precise incision over the tendon. A nearby tendon, the flexor digitorum longus (FDL), is frequently used as a graft to help reconstruct the posterior tibial tendon. Additionally, the surgeon may resurface and reconstruct the bony arch of the foot to prevent further friction and pain.
What are the risks and potential complications?
Risks for posterior tibial tendonitis surgery, include but are not limited to improper anesthesia, infections, nerve damage, excessive bleeding, an inability of the wound to heal, and bone fractures. Undergoing this surgery does not guarantee a full recovery and it is possible that the patient will experience stiffness of this tendon or some degree of pain in the future.
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