Injuries to the Spring Ligament: Nonoperative Treatment

Abstract

The fibrocartilage within the superomedial calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament is part of an interwoven complex of ligaments that span the ankle, subtalar, and talonavicular joints. Acute isolated rupture of the spring ligament has been reported in association with an eversion ankle sprain. Attenuation and failure of the spring ligament causes complex 3D changes called the progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD). This deformity is characterized by hindfoot eversion, forefoot supination, collapse of the medial longitudinal arch, and forefoot abduction. Nonoperative treatment of an isolated spring ligament rupture and PCFD using various designs of orthoses have shown promising results.

Keywords: AAFD; Adult acquired flatfoot deformity; Ankle-foot orthoses; PCFD; PTTD; Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction; Progressive collapsing flatfoot deformity.