Surgical Options for Treating Tendon and Ligament Injuries

A variety of surgical procedures are available to ameliorate the discomfort of tendonitis or desmitis, treat the original cause, or enhance healing. The following current techniques are described: neurectomy of the deep penetrating branch of the lateral plantar nerve, suspensory ligament fasciotomy, desmotomy of the palmar/plantar annular ligament via an extrasynovial approach and using arthroscopic guidance, desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon (AL-SDFT, proximal check ligament) via the direct medial approach and via arthroscopic guidance, and desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (AL-DDFT, distal check ligament).