IADMS Madrid 2001   [back to the Category]

Posterior tibial tendon in a flamenco dancer   [read the french version]

Author :   Peter E. Lavine, MD

Saturday 3 November 2001
3:45 – 4:05 pm Room 1

Posterior tibial tendon in a flamenco dancer – an unusual case report and clinical review

Peter E. Lavine, MD, Washington, DC, Jennifer Gamboa, MPT, Body Dynamics, Inc., Arlington, VA; USA

Posterior Tibial Tendon (PTT) Dysfunction is an underreported and often misdiagnosed problem. Many patients are assumed to have an ankle sprain, and this leads to a delay in treatment. The proper diagnosis is usually made when the patient seeks another opinion with regard to persistent pain, and perhaps an acquired pes planus with pronation is observed. Rupture of the PTT can be a devastating sequelae. In these cases, the best results occur with early diagnosis and immediate repair. Once this opportunity is missed, the surgical reconstructive options have a much more compromise outcome.
The anatomy, pathophysiology, and clinical features of PTT dysfunction will be presented to allow an accurate and early diagnosis. Treatment options and physical therapy approaches will be emphasized. Clinical, anatomic and surgical slides have been integrated to clarify this pathologic process. A fascinating case report in a Flamenco dancer will highlight the essentials of PTT dysfunction and treatment.