Ultrasonographic Validation for Needle Placement in the Tibialis Posterior Muscle

Area of Science:

• Musculoskeletal Imaging
• Interventional Procedures
• Anatomy

Background:

• The tibialis posterior (TP) muscle is crucial for foot function.
• Deep posterior compartment location presents challenges for TP muscle interventions.
• Safe and effective therapeutic approaches for the TP muscle are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the accuracy of needle placement in the TP muscle.
• To assess needle proximity to neurovascular structures within the deep compartment.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 20 healthy individuals.
• Ultrasound imaging guided needle insertion into the TP muscle.
• Measurement of needle distance to posterior tibial artery and tibial nerve.

Main Results:

• Successful needle placement into the TP muscle in all participants.
• No penetration of the neurovascular bundle observed.
• Mean needle distance to tibial nerve and posterior tibial artery was approximately 10 mm.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasound-guided needle placement is accurate for targeting the TP muscle.
• This technique allows for safe intervention by avoiding neurovascular structures.
• Medial to lateral needle insertion at 30-50% tibial length is supported.