Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Skeletal Radiology 3/2016

01-03-2016 | Scientific Article

Subluxation of the peroneus long tendon in the cuboid tunnel: is it normal or pathologic? An ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging study

Authors: Taylor J. Stone, Zehava S. Rosenberg, Zoraida Restrepo Velez, Gina Ciavarra, Roberto Prost, Jenny T. Bencardino

Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 3/2016

Login to get access

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the position of the peroneus longus (PL) tendon relative to the cuboid tuberosity and cuboid tunnel during ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion using ultrasound and MRI.

Materials and methods

The study population included two groups: 20 feet of 10 asymptomatic volunteers who underwent prospective dynamic ultrasound and 55 ankles found through retrospective review of routine ankle MRI examinations. The location of the PL tendon at the cuboid tuberosity and cuboid tunnel was designated as completely within the tunnel, indeterminate, or subluxed with respect to ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion.

Results

On dynamic ultrasound, the PL tendon was perched plantar to the cuboid tuberosity in dorsiflexion, and glided to enter the cuboid tunnel distal to the tuberosity in plantarflexion in all 20 feet. On the MRI evaluation, there was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0006) in the location of the PL tendon between the ankles scanned in dorsiflexion and plantarflexion.

Conclusion

Based on our findings on ultrasound and MRI, the PL tendon can glide in and out of the cuboid tunnel along the cuboid tuberosity depending on ankle position. Thus, “subluxation” of the tendon as it curves to enter the cuboid tunnel, which to the best of our knowledge has not yet been described, should be recognized as a normal, position-dependent phenomenon and not be reported as pathology.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Patil V, Frisch NC, Ebraheim NA. Anatomical variations in the insertion of the peroneus (fibularis) longus tendon. Foot Ankle Int. 2007;28(11):1179–82.PubMedCrossRef Patil V, Frisch NC, Ebraheim NA. Anatomical variations in the insertion of the peroneus (fibularis) longus tendon. Foot Ankle Int. 2007;28(11):1179–82.PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Donovan A, Rosenberg ZS, Bencardino JT, Velez ZR, Blonder DB, Ciavarra GA, et al. Plantar tendons of the foot: MR imaging and US. Radiograph Rev Pub Radiol Soc North Am Inc. 2013;33(7):2065–85. Donovan A, Rosenberg ZS, Bencardino JT, Velez ZR, Blonder DB, Ciavarra GA, et al. Plantar tendons of the foot: MR imaging and US. Radiograph Rev Pub Radiol Soc North Am Inc. 2013;33(7):2065–85.
3.
go back to reference Fernandes R, Aguiar R, Trudell D, Resnick D. Tendons in the plantar aspect of the foot: MR imaging and anatomic correlation in cadavers. Skeletal Radiol. 2007;36(2):115–22.PubMedCrossRef Fernandes R, Aguiar R, Trudell D, Resnick D. Tendons in the plantar aspect of the foot: MR imaging and anatomic correlation in cadavers. Skeletal Radiol. 2007;36(2):115–22.PubMedCrossRef
4.
go back to reference Kelikian AS, Sarrafian SK, Sarrafian SK. Sarrafian’s anatomy of the foot and ankle: descriptive, topographical, functional. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott; 2011. Kelikian AS, Sarrafian SK, Sarrafian SK. Sarrafian’s anatomy of the foot and ankle: descriptive, topographical, functional. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott; 2011.
5.
go back to reference Sarrafian SK. Anatomy of the foot and ankle: descriptive, topographical, functional. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven; 1993. Sarrafian SK. Anatomy of the foot and ankle: descriptive, topographical, functional. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven; 1993.
6.
go back to reference Gray H, Williams PL, Gray H. Gray’s anatomy. 37th ed. Edinburgh: Livingstone; 1989. Gray H, Williams PL, Gray H. Gray’s anatomy. 37th ed. Edinburgh: Livingstone; 1989.
7.
8.
9.
go back to reference Brandes CB, Smith RW. Characterization of patients with primary peroneus longus tendinopathy: a review of twenty-two cases. Foot Ankle Int. 2000;21(6):462–8.PubMed Brandes CB, Smith RW. Characterization of patients with primary peroneus longus tendinopathy: a review of twenty-two cases. Foot Ankle Int. 2000;21(6):462–8.PubMed
10.
11.
go back to reference El Rassi G, Kouvalchouk JF, McFarland E. Isolated dislocation of the peroneus longus tendon over the calcaneal tubercle in an ice skater: a case report. J Bone Joint Surg Am Vol. 2012;94(7):e43. El Rassi G, Kouvalchouk JF, McFarland E. Isolated dislocation of the peroneus longus tendon over the calcaneal tubercle in an ice skater: a case report. J Bone Joint Surg Am Vol. 2012;94(7):e43.
12.
go back to reference Klos K, Vag T, Gras F, Konig V, Hofmann GO, Muckley T. Distal peroneal tendon dislocation: a case report. Foot Ankle Int. 2011;32(3):314–8.PubMedCrossRef Klos K, Vag T, Gras F, Konig V, Hofmann GO, Muckley T. Distal peroneal tendon dislocation: a case report. Foot Ankle Int. 2011;32(3):314–8.PubMedCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Agur AMR, Grant JCB. Grant’s atlas of anatomy, 13th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott; 2013. Agur AMR, Grant JCB. Grant’s atlas of anatomy, 13th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott; 2013.
14.
go back to reference Lee KS, Ablove RH, Singh S, De Smet AA, Haaland B, Fine JP. Ultrasound imaging of normal displacement of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon within the ulnar groove in 12 forearm-wrist positions. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2009;193(3):651–5.PubMedCrossRef Lee KS, Ablove RH, Singh S, De Smet AA, Haaland B, Fine JP. Ultrasound imaging of normal displacement of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon within the ulnar groove in 12 forearm-wrist positions. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2009;193(3):651–5.PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Jeantroux J, Becce F, Guerini H, Montalvan B, Le Viet D, Drapé J. Athletic injuries of the extensor carpi ulnaris subsheath: MRI findings and utility of gadolinium-enhanced fat-saturated T1-weighted sequences with wrist pronation and supination. Eur J Radiol. 2011;21:160–6.CrossRef Jeantroux J, Becce F, Guerini H, Montalvan B, Le Viet D, Drapé J. Athletic injuries of the extensor carpi ulnaris subsheath: MRI findings and utility of gadolinium-enhanced fat-saturated T1-weighted sequences with wrist pronation and supination. Eur J Radiol. 2011;21:160–6.CrossRef
16.
go back to reference Beitzel K, Kirchhoff C, Beitzel KI, Reiser MF, Kirchhoff S. In vivo evaluation of the kinematics of the long head of the biceps tendon within the pulley: a 3 T MRI motion analysis. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2013;133(12):1719–25.PubMedCrossRef Beitzel K, Kirchhoff C, Beitzel KI, Reiser MF, Kirchhoff S. In vivo evaluation of the kinematics of the long head of the biceps tendon within the pulley: a 3 T MRI motion analysis. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2013;133(12):1719–25.PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Nidecker A, Gückel C, von Hochstetter A. Imaging the long head of biceps tendon: a pictorial essay emphasizing magnetic resonance. Eur J Radiol. 1997;25(3):177–87.PubMedCrossRef Nidecker A, Gückel C, von Hochstetter A. Imaging the long head of biceps tendon: a pictorial essay emphasizing magnetic resonance. Eur J Radiol. 1997;25(3):177–87.PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Monteggia GB. Instituzini chirurgiche. Parte secondu. Milan, Italy; 1803; 336–41. Monteggia GB. Instituzini chirurgiche. Parte secondu. Milan, Italy; 1803; 336–41.
19.
go back to reference Safran MR, O’Malley Jr D, Fu FH. Peroneal tendon subluxation in athletes: new exam technique, case reports, and review. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;31(7 Suppl):S487–92.PubMedCrossRef Safran MR, O’Malley Jr D, Fu FH. Peroneal tendon subluxation in athletes: new exam technique, case reports, and review. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;31(7 Suppl):S487–92.PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Omey ML, Micheli LJ. Foot and ankle problems in the young athlete. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;31(7 Suppl):S470–86.PubMedCrossRef Omey ML, Micheli LJ. Foot and ankle problems in the young athlete. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;31(7 Suppl):S470–86.PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Wang XT, Rosenberg ZS, Mechlin MB, Schweitzer ME. Normal variants and diseases of the peroneal tendons and superior peroneal retinaculum: MR imaging features. Radiograph Rev Pub Radiol Soc North Am Inc. 2005;25(3):587–602. Wang XT, Rosenberg ZS, Mechlin MB, Schweitzer ME. Normal variants and diseases of the peroneal tendons and superior peroneal retinaculum: MR imaging features. Radiograph Rev Pub Radiol Soc North Am Inc. 2005;25(3):587–602.
22.
go back to reference Raikin SM, Elias I, Nazarian LN. Intrasheath subluxation of the peroneal tendons. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008;90(5):992–9.PubMedCrossRef Raikin SM, Elias I, Nazarian LN. Intrasheath subluxation of the peroneal tendons. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008;90(5):992–9.PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Roaas A, Andersson GB. Normal range of motion of the hip, knee and ankle joints in male subjects, 30–40 years of age. Acta Orthop Scand. 1982;53:205–8.PubMedCrossRef Roaas A, Andersson GB. Normal range of motion of the hip, knee and ankle joints in male subjects, 30–40 years of age. Acta Orthop Scand. 1982;53:205–8.PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Ahlberg A, Moussa M, Al Nahdi M. On geographical variations in the normal range of joint motion. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1988;234:229–31.PubMed Ahlberg A, Moussa M, Al Nahdi M. On geographical variations in the normal range of joint motion. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1988;234:229–31.PubMed
25.
go back to reference Lundberg A, Goldie I, Kalin B, Selvik G. Kinematics of the ankle/foot complex, part 1: plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. Foot Ankle. 1989;9:194–200.PubMedCrossRef Lundberg A, Goldie I, Kalin B, Selvik G. Kinematics of the ankle/foot complex, part 1: plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. Foot Ankle. 1989;9:194–200.PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Valderrabano V, Hintermann B, Nigg BM, Stefanyshyn D, Stergiou P. Kinematic changes after fusion and total replacement of the ankle, part 1: range of motion. Foot Ankle Int. 2003;24:881–7.PubMed Valderrabano V, Hintermann B, Nigg BM, Stefanyshyn D, Stergiou P. Kinematic changes after fusion and total replacement of the ankle, part 1: range of motion. Foot Ankle Int. 2003;24:881–7.PubMed
27.
go back to reference Stauffer RN, Chao EY, Brewster RC. Force and motion analysis of the normal, diseased, and prosthetic ankle joint. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1977;127:189–96.PubMed Stauffer RN, Chao EY, Brewster RC. Force and motion analysis of the normal, diseased, and prosthetic ankle joint. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1977;127:189–96.PubMed
28.
go back to reference Lindsjo U, Danckwardt-Lilliestrom G, Sahlstedt B. Measurement of the motion range in the loaded ankle. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1985;199:68–71.PubMed Lindsjo U, Danckwardt-Lilliestrom G, Sahlstedt B. Measurement of the motion range in the loaded ankle. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1985;199:68–71.PubMed
29.
go back to reference Boone DC, Azen SP. Normal range of motion of joints in male subjects. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1979;61:756–9.PubMed Boone DC, Azen SP. Normal range of motion of joints in male subjects. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1979;61:756–9.PubMed
Metadata
Title
Subluxation of the peroneus long tendon in the cuboid tunnel: is it normal or pathologic? An ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors
Taylor J. Stone
Zehava S. Rosenberg
Zoraida Restrepo Velez
Gina Ciavarra
Roberto Prost
Jenny T. Bencardino
Publication date
01-03-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Skeletal Radiology / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-015-2293-3

Other articles of this Issue 3/2016

Skeletal Radiology 3/2016 Go to the issue