Checkrein Deformity of the Hallux Caused by Misplaced Suture-Button Syndesmosis Fixation: A Case Report.

Abstract

Ankle fractures are common injuries. If an ankle fracture is combined with tibiofibular syndesmosis separation, then tibiofibular transfixation should be used to stabilize the syndesmosis; in such cases, flexible (suture-button) fixation is an option. We surgically treated a male patient's unstable ankle fracture with internal fixation devices, including a suture-button fixator, and observed the development of a flexor hallucis longus checkrein deformity in the postoperative period. The aim of this report is to describe this rare postoperative complication associated with the use of suture-button transfixation of the tibiofibular syndesmosis.