• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.35-38
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• 2015

The checkrein deformity describes tethering of the flexor hallucis longus tendon, which mainly occurs after fracture of the distal tibia. The deformity increases with dorsiflexion of the ankle and decreases or disappears with plantarflexion of the ankle. In some cases, the deformity may occasionally include the second and third toes. In the current study, the authors experienced secondary checkrein deformity of all lesser toes after open reduction and plate fixation for comminuted fracture of the calcaneus. As a treatment, plate and screws were removed, followed by an additional medial incision which showed a partially ruptured flexor digitorum longus tendon with severe adhesion. Resection of the adhesed tendon and tenodesis of its distal portion to the flexor hallucis longus was performed for correction of the checkrein deformity. Then the lessor toe checkrein deformity recovered immediately. The authors report on this rare lessor toe checkrein deformity after calcaneal fracture fixation with a review of literature.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.145-148
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• 2021

A checkrein deformity can occur after a distal tibiofibular fracture. Usually, a checkrein deformity due to a dysfunction of the extensor hallucis longus muscle is rarer than that of the flexor hallucis longus. Only a few related studies have been reported. The authors encountered an extensor hallucis longus checkrein deformity due to extensor retinaculum syndrome while managing a triplane fracture. In magnetic resonance imaging, an increase in the heterogeneous signal was observed on the T2-weighted images suggesting muscle necrosis or ischemic changes in a part of the extensor hallucis muscle. Postoperative great toe motor weakness, unintentional movement, sensory changes, and weakness improved spontaneously during the follow-up.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.274-278
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• 2003

Rare complications of distal tibia fracture are claw-toe deformity, cavus deformity and checkrein deformity. These complications may be due to contracture of the muscles of the deep posterior compartment of the leg after a compartment syndrome. These 4 cases were treated by selective tendon lengthening of flexor tendon at the retromalleolar level.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.71-74
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• 2024

This report presents a unique case of checkrein deformities in both halluces following isolated intramuscular sarcoidosis, a rare occurrence given the infrequent musculoskeletal involvement in sarcoidosis. Typically resulting from flexor hallucis longus tendon entrapment by scar tissue post-trauma, the checkrein deformity reported in this paper presented with unusual metatarsophalangeal joint flexion and interphalangeal joint extension during ankle dorsiflexion. A 49-year-old woman with a history of intramuscular sarcoidosis presented with a great toe deformity and discomfort while wearing shoes, leading to a diagnosis of dynamic deformity, possibly attributed to tendon tethering by sarcoidosis. Surgical treatments, including abductor hallucis muscle intratendinous tenotomy, flexor hallucis longus Z-plasty lengthening, Weil osteotomy, and Kirschner wire fixation, significantly improved the functional scores and patient discomfort. This report underscores the importance of recognizing dynamic deformities and the potential for rare diseases, such as sarcoidosis, to cause such conditions, highlighting the need for careful diagnosis and tailored surgical intervention for atypical checkrein deformities.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.114-119
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• 2000

The soft tissue defects including the Achilles tendon are complex and very difficult to reconstruct. Recently, several free composite flaps including the tendon have been used to reconstruct large defects in this area in an one-stage effort. Our case presents a patient reconstructed with free composite dorsalis pedis flap along with the extensor digitorum longus and superficial peroneal nerve for extensive defects of the Achilles tendon and surrounding soft tissue. A 36-year-old-man sustained an open injury to the Achilles tendon. He was referred to our department with gross infection of the wound and complete rupture of the tendon associated with loss of skin following reduction of distal tibial bone fracture. After extensive debridement, $6{\times}8cm$ of skin loss and 8cm of tendon defect was noted. Corresponding to the size of the defect, the composite dorsalis pedis flap was raised as a neurosensory unit including the extensor digitorum longus to provide tendon repair and sensate skin for an one-stage reconstruction. One tendon slip was sutured to the soleus musculotendinous portion, the other two were sutured to the gastrocnemius musculotendinous portion with 2-0 Prolene. The superficial peroneal nerve was then coaptated to the medial sural cutaneous nerve. The anterior tibial artery and vein were anastomosed to the posterior tibial artery and accompanying vein in an end to end fashion. After 12 months of follow-up, 5 degrees of dorsiflexion due to the checkrein deformity and 58 degrees of plantar flexion was achieved. The patient was able to walk without crutches. Twopoint discrimination and moving two-point discrimination were more than 1mm at the transferred flap site. The donor site healed uneventfully. Of the various free composite flaps for the Achilles tendon reconstruction when skin coverage is also needed, we recommand the composite dorsalis pedis flap. The advantages such as to control infection, adequate restoration of ankle contour for normal foot wear, transfer of the long tendinous portion, and protective sensation makes this flap our first choice for reconstruction of soft tissue defect including the Achilles tendon.