Injuries of the extensor tendoms of the foot in the lower part of the leg or at the level of the ankle are comparatively rare. They are often associated with extensive injuries of the skin, subcutaneous tissues, ligaments, and underlying bone.
Of the thirteen injuries in this series, the results were classified as good in nine (69 per cent.), fair in two (15 per cent.), and poor in two (15 per cent.). The factors limiting successful repair were (1) the anatomy of the site of injury, (2) the number of tendons severed, (3) the presence of infection, (4) concurrent injury to the ankle or subtalar joint, and (5) the presence of an adherent scar and contracture of the Achilles tendon in old injuries.
The same principles of treatment which apply to injuries of the wrist and hand apply to lacerations of tendons of the foot that occur in the lower part of the leg or at the level of the ankle. If repair of the fresh tendon injury is not successful or if there is impaired function as a result of an old injury, late repair by tendon suture, tendon graft, or tendon transfer is indicated.