Delayed Rupture of the Extensor Hallucis Longus and Extensor Digitorum Communis Tendons After Breaching the Anterior Capsule with a Radiofrequency Probe During Ankle Arthroscopy: A Case Report

Abstract

A 40-year-old man with early arthritis, loose bodies, and anterolateral joint impingement symptoms in his left ankle, which was refractory to noninvasive therapeutic modalities for 1 year, underwent ankle arthroscopy and radiofrequency thermal ablation. The anterior capsule of the ankle joint was breached by the radiofrequency probe while the loose bodies were removed from the anterior recess, exposing the extensor tendons and resulting in a delayed spontaneous rupture of the extensor hallucis longus tendon and extensor tendons to the second and third toes. The extensor hallucis longus tendon was repaired with a semitendinosus tendon graft, and extensor digitorum tendons underwent primary repair. The patient regained full function and was symptom free 1 year after surgery. (C) 2010 by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. All rights reserved.