To study the clinical features, treatment methods and clinical outcomes of acute tibialis posterior tendon rupture.

Using "[(posterior tibial tendon) OR (tibialis posterior ten-don)] AND (rupture OR injury OR disruption OR trauma OR tear)" as the search words, we searched the PubMed database to retrieve the 19 articles involving 24 cases of acute tibialis posterior tendon rupture. The injury mechanisms, X-ray manifestations, operational findings, treatment methods and clinical outcomes were analyzed.

The mechanisms of the fracture-related tibialis posterior tendon rupture included motor accident (50.0%, 12/24), falling from a height (41.7%, 10/24) and sports injury (8.3%, 12/24). The tendon rupture was mostly complicated with malleolar fracture (91.7%, 22/24), especially the pronation type (70.8%, 17/24). Direct suture of the tendon was adopted in 91.7% of the cases (22/24). Favorable out-comes were achieved in 95.5% of the cases (21/24).

Acute tibialis posterior tendon rupture is mostly seen in high-energy medial malleolus fracture. The mechanism of the rupture might be tendon distraction or bone flake incision. Early operation can lead to favorable outcomes.

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction; Injury; Review