Lengthening of the Lateral Column of the Foot and Reconstruction of the Posterior Tibial Tendon for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Associated WITH Insufficiency of the Posterior Tibial Tendon

Abstract

Lengthening of the lateral column of the foot and reconstruction of the posterior tibial tendon was performed to treat acquired flatfoot deformity associated with posterior tibial tendon insufficiency in a rheumatoid arthritis patient. Case: A 66-year-old female had swelling and pain around her right ankle. A valgus deformity associated with mild flatfoot deformity had progressed in this patient. Insufficiency fracture of the cuboid was detected by X-rays. Lengthening of the lateral column was performed with an iliac bone graft, and the reconstruction of the posterior tibial tendon was done using the flexor digitorum longus tendon. Two years postoperatively, swelling and pain around the patient's ankle had disappeared, and her valgus deformity was corrected with no progress of flatfoot deformity. We believe in order to treat posterior tibial tendon dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis patients, early diagnosis and suitable operative treatment are appropriate.