Missed Tibialis Anterior Tendon Laceration - Case Report

Laceration of the tibialis anterior (TA) tendon is a rare injury that has been reported previously. A seemingly trivial wound may ‘mask’ a completely divided tendon. Therefore, unless the clinician is aware of the possibility of a TA tendon injury, the diagnosis can be missed.
A 47-year-old lady presented for a wound review following surgery 3 days previously, for a laceration on her distal shin from a grass cutter. On clinical examination she was found unable to dorsi flex her foot, diagnostic of a cut TA tendon. Secondary exploration of the laceration confirmed the diagnosis of a divided TA tendon which was repaired.
All lacerations involving the distal third of the shin, especially where there is evidence of a bony injury, should be considered to have involved the TA tendon, unless proven otherwise.