Anatomical reconstruction of the spring ligament using peroneus longus tendon graft

Posterior tibial tendon insufficiency is often associated with failure of the spring ligament and flatfoot deformity. Arch correction procedures involving bony realignment, such as lateral column lengthening or joint fusions, can predispose to arthritis. Soft tissue reconstruction may provide a more anatomical correction without these complications. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the ability of three different spring ligament reconstruction procedures to correct flatfoot deformity. A deformity model of 5 degrees - 15 degrees talonavicular abduction was created in 10 cadaver foot-ankle specimens. Three reconstructions utilizing the peroneus longus tendon were evaluated for their ability to correct talonavicular abduction and subtalar eversion under 357 N vertical GRF load. A superomedial/plantar passage of the tendon through the calcaneus and navicular was shown to be more effective than either of the other two approaches, correcting the talonavicular joint from 9.1 degrees +/- 8.1 degrees abducted to 1.0 degree +/- 6.8 degrees adducted, and the subtalar joint from 3.1 degrees +/- 3.3 degrees everted to 0.4 degrees +/- 4.2 degrees inverted. Thus, an anatomical reconstruction of a model of a failed spring ligament was demonstrated to be effective in the correction of a flatfoot deformity produced in cadaver foot-ankle specimens.