Cut Extensor Tendon to the Big Toe – Surgical Repair
Extensor Hallucis Longus Tendon – This is the tendon to the big toe that allows the big toe to extend.
There are often patients who sustain minor lacerations to the top of the foot due to falling broken glass, knifes, or other sharp objects. The laceration may look innocuous but it may have cut through to the extensor tendon below the skin causing inability to actively extend the big toe.
It is important to examine the big toe’s active extension to avoid missing this diagnosis.
Case Study
This patient has a 2cm cut to the dorsum of his left foot by a broken vase. He was not able to extend his left big toe properly.
The big toe appears drooped compared to the other toes.
Surgical exploration of the wound under anaesthesia confirmed a complete cut to the extensor hallucis longus tendon to the left big toe.
Completely lacerated extensor hallucis longus tendon to the left big toe.
The proximal retracted tendon end was found after careful dissection.
The proximal and distal ends of the cut tendon were exposed.
The cut extensor tendon was repaired.
The cut extensor tendon was repaired using looped supramid sutures
The repair was strong as evidenced by this video:
For more information, please contact Dr HC Chang at +65-683 666 36 or email hcchang@ortho.com.sg
HC Chang Orthopaedic Surgery | Singapore 