Postoperative Functional Results of Posterior Tibial Tendon Transfer for Foot Drop as a Consequence of Nerve Palsy in Leprosy

Background: The aim of this study was to access the postoperative functional results of posterior tibial tendon transfer for foot drop as a consequence of nerve palsy in leprosy. Methods: sixteen patients (13 Male and 3 females) with ages ranging from 14 to 47 years (mean=27.56 ± 8.41 years) were submitted to posterior tibial tendon transfer by the circumtibial route to correct foot drop in leprosy cured patients. The operated patients were followed up on the end of 6th, 12th, 18th and 24th weeks. The Stanmore system was used as a method for evaluating the functional results of postoperative tibialis posterior tendon transfer. This system is made up of 7 different categories and the total score is 100. Results: According to the Stanmore system, the results of 62.5% of patients i.e., 10 patients out of 16 had very good result. More so 12.5% of them (two out of sixteen) had shown good results, whereas other patients i.e., 12.5% of them had fair results. Rest 12.5% of them had poor results. All the patients were satisfied with their near normal gait pattern. Conclusion: The posterior tibial tendon transfer for foot drop in leprosy cured patients is efficient in restoring normal function of the foot and achieving “heel to toe” gait pattern without changing foot posture. In the absence of a standardized method for assessing the results of posterior tibial tendon transfer, the tanmore system seems to be a good tool for an objective evaluation.