The Potential of Endoscopic Spring Ligament Repair in Flatfoot Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Spring ligament fulfills 2 main important functions: one, supporting the head of the talus and stabilizing the talonavicular joint, and the other, maintaining the longitudinal arch by acting as a static support. In this preliminary report, we describe an endoscopic repair for spring ligament injuries with modified portals. METHODS: We performed a retrospective case series study from February 2019 to January 2022. Posterior tibial tendon and/or associated bone deformities were assessed at the same surgical procedure. All patients were ≥18 years old and they had more than 6 months of follow-up. The procedure was performed in 11 patients. Mean age was 46 years (range 18-63). Ten had concomitant bony realignment surgery, and 8 had posterior tibial tendon surgery. RESULTS: In all patients, endoscopic spring ligament repair could be technically done. The modified portals were used in all procedures as described in the surgical technique. Three patients had a superficial lesion, 1 had a rupture <5 mm, 7 had a rupture >5 mm but not a complete rupture through the entire spring ligament. Most of the patients had good clinical results from the surgery that included endoscopic spring ligament debridement and/or repair at 2 years follow up. CONCLUSION: In this small series we found that endoscopy may be an effective technique to diagnose and treat incomplete spring ligament injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Seguridad de los portales para la reparación endoscópica del ligamento calcaneonavicular: estudio cadavérico / Endoscopic Spring ligament repair. Anatomic evaluation of portal safety

Introducción: La lesión del ligamento calcaneonavicular ha sido descrita como una de las causas de la deformidad en el pie plano del adulto. El objetivo de este artículo es describir portales modificados para el diagnóstico y la reparación endoscópica de las lesiones del fascículo superomedial del ligamento calcaneonavicular y evaluar la seguridad de los portales utilizados. Materiales y Métodos:Se llevó a cabo un estudio cadavérico con seis preparados reproduciendo una lesión del fascículo superomedial del ligamento calcaneonavicular con una punta de corte de radiofrecuencia y la posterior reparación endoscópica. Se crearon dos portales modificados para el abordaje. Luego se procedió a la disección anatómica para evaluar la seguridad de los portales en relación con las estructuras anatómicas. El primer portal se realiza inmediatamente proximal a una línea trazada desde la punta del maléolo medial dirigida al centro del talón, el segundo portal se emplaza 0,5 cm proximal a la inserción del tendón tibial posterior en el escafoides por transiluminación. Si es necesario, se coloca un portal accesorio inmediatamente dorsal al tendón tibial posterior a mitad de camino entre los dos portales antes descritos. Resultados:En todos los casos, fue posible la reparación del ligamento con el procedimiento endoscópico. En la disección anatómica de los portales, se observó una distancia promedio a las estructuras vasculonerviosas de 11,83 mm del portal proximal y de 9,66 mm del portal distal. Conclusión: Los portales modificados son seguros y permiten la visualización directa del haz superomedial del ligamento calcaneonavicular y su reparación endoscópica. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Introduction: Calcaneonavicular ligament injury has been described as a cause of adult flat foot deformity. The objective of this study is to describe modified portals for the diagnosis and treatment of injuries to the superomedial bundle of the calcaneonavicular ligament and to evaluate the safety of the portals used. Materials and Methods: We performed a cadaveric specimen study on 6 feet, where we reproduced a lesion of the superomedial bundle of the calcaneonavicular ligament with a radiofrequency ablation device and repaired it endoscopically. Two modified portals were created for the approach and an anatomical dissection was performed to assess the safety of the portals in relation to the anatomical structures. The first portal was placed immediately proximal to a line drawn from the tip of the medial malleolus toward the center of the heel; the second portal was placed 0.5 cm proximal to the posterior tibial tendon insertion into the navicular bone, guided by transillumination. If needed, an accessory portal was placed halfway between the two previously described portals immediately dorsal to the posterior tibial tendon. Results:In all cases, ligament repair was achieved with the endoscopic procedure. In the anatomical dissection of the portals, we observed an average distance of 11.83 mm from the proximal portal and 9.66 mm from the distal portal to neurovascular structures. Conclusion:Modified portals are safe and allow direct visualization of the superomedial bundle of the calcaneonavicular ligament to perform endoscopic repair. Level of Evidence: IV