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Hallux saltans due to stenosing tenosynovitis of flexor hallucis longus: dynamic sonography and arthroscopic findings

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Abstract

Triggering of the toes is rare, with isolated cases reported in the literature involving predominantly the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon, a condition known as “hallux saltans” (HS). We report the dynamic sonographic findings of a 42-year-old female with a 2-month history of ankle pain and triggering of right hallux, consistent with HS. Sonography demonstrated tenosynovitis and focal thickening of FHL at the level of hindfoot, with a fibrous band adjacent to the tendon. Dynamic ultrasound showed triggering and snapping of FHL tendon during hallux flexion and extension, respectively. We present comprehensive documentation of this rare entity, including sonographic still images and cine clips, as well as correlation with arthroscopic surgical findings.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street – YAW 6048, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Edgar Leonardo Martinez-Salazar, Joao R. T. Vicentini & Martin Torriani

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA

    Anne H. Johnson

Authors
  1. Edgar Leonardo Martinez-Salazar
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  2. Joao R. T. Vicentini
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  3. Anne H. Johnson
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  4. Martin Torriani
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Correspondence to Martin Torriani.

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Martinez-Salazar, E.L., Vicentini, J.R.T., Johnson, A.H. et al. Hallux saltans due to stenosing tenosynovitis of flexor hallucis longus: dynamic sonography and arthroscopic findings. Skeletal Radiol 47, 747–750 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-017-2853-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-017-2853-9

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