Foot and ankle tendoscopies: current concepts review

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Minimally invasive procedures
• Foot and ankle disorders

Background:

• Tendoscopy is an emerging technique for managing various foot and ankle conditions.
• Commonly performed tendoscopies target the Achilles, peroneal, and posterior tibial tendons.
• It can be utilized as an adjunct to other surgical interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current literature on tendoscopy for foot and ankle disorders.
• To assess the safety, reliability, and evidence base for tendoscopic procedures.
• To identify areas for future research in endoscopic tendon management.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on foot and ankle tendoscopy.
• Analysis of common tendoscopic procedures and their applications.
• Evaluation of the level of evidence supporting tendoscopic techniques.

Main Results:

• Tendoscopy appears safe and reliable for specific foot and ankle tendinopathies.
• Achilles, peroneal, and posterior tibial tendons are most frequently addressed.
• The current literature is dominated by Level IV and V studies, with a lack of Level I evidence.
• Neurovascular injury is a potential complication requiring caution.

Conclusions:

• Tendoscopy shows promise for treating foot and ankle tendinopathies.
• Further high-quality research (Level I evidence) is necessary to establish strong recommendations for these endoscopic techniques.
• Careful surgical technique is crucial to prevent iatrogenic neurovascular complications.