Posterior tibial nerve as a tendon transfer for drop foot reconstruction: a devastating complication

Iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries can result from numerous medical procedures, particularly transection, stretching, compression, injections, heat, radiation, and the use of anticoagulant agents. Late diagnosis may lead to atrophy of the motor endplate and result in poor outcomes. We report a case in which the posterior tibial nerve was accidentally sectioned as the posterior tibial tendon for transfer to the anterior tibial tendon in the reconstruction of drop foot. This iatrogenic complication ultimately required foot amputation. Physicians must be aware of the anatomy of the posterior tibial nerve in order to avoid such complications.