Surgical repair of abductor hallucis muscle herniation: a case report

Herniation of the abductor hallucis muscle has rarely been reported in the literature. This condition causes localized pain, especially while weight bearing, as a result of a complex cascade of biomechanical events directly related to loss of integrity of the medial wall of the foot. The authors present a case of a flexor retinaculum tear with subsequent herniation of the abductor hallucis muscle. When conservative treatment options failed to provide significant relief, surgical intervention was performed, which revealed ischemic muscle tissue and a partial flexor retinaculum tear. The nonviable muscle was surgically debrided and the fascial defect was repaired with a polypropylene nonabsorbable synthetic surgical mesh. This herniorrhaphy reestablished medial compartment support, thus allowing the patient to return to pain-free ambulation.