Calcification of the tibialis posterior tendon: a case report and literature review

The tibialis posterior muscle and tendon are subject to a number of pathological conditions and injuries that have recently received much attention in the literature. Because of its function as a main stabilizer of the subtalar complex against hindfoot valgus and forefoot pronation, the mechanical demand on the posterior tibial tendon is high. Problems with dislocation, tenosynovitis, rupture, and laceration have all been described with this tendon. In this report, we present a case of dysfunction of the posterior tibial tendon associated with chronic tendinitis and intratendinous calcifications. After removal of the calcifications, the patient became asymptomatic and returned to work. Proposed etiologies of these calcifications are discussed.