Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon Pain: Is Surgery the Answer?
This is a story about Scott, a frustrated runner. One day in 2010 while out for a run, he suddenly heard a snap under his foot. He went from a normal, active life to trying years of different therapies without help. This is his story about how flexor hallucis longus tendon pain almost ruined his life.
What Is the Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon?
A Runner with Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon Pain
After feeling sudden pain in the bottom of his foot, Scott’s MRI showed FHL damage as well as small holes in the plantar plates in the second and third MTP joints. In addition to that issue, the first-through-third toe joints (MTPs) began to hurt. MRI also showed evidence of arthritis in his toe joints.
Scott tried a bevy of different treatments over five years, including a PRP injection into the FHL tendon, acupuncture, physical therapy, switching to barefoot, boot immobilization, massage therapy, Motrin, many different kinds of shoes, chiropractic manipulation, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound. In addition, he also saw three foot-and-ankle specialists and was told that he needed surgery. We were literally his last hope.
How Does This Patient’s Problems Showcase Precise Interventional Orthopedics?
I get asked all the time by patients to define what we mean by interventional orthopedics. Take a look at the complexity of the diagrams above of the big toe. Each of these structures—the multiple big toe joints, the plantar plates, the ACL and PCL, the flexor tendons (like the FHL)—is a target for precise, image-guided injections. Even just looking at the FHL alone, you can inject it in the tendon sheath, the tendon itself, or both. In a joint of this size, the difference between placing cells in one structure versus the other is often 1–2 mm (less than 1/16th to 1/32nd of an inch). The knowledge that you need to have to perfect accurately injecting these tiny structures is interventional orthopedics at its best—using ultraprecise, image-guided injections to help patients avoid surgery.
Interventional Orthopedics and Regenexx-SD to the Rescue
I treated the patient with a precisely placed same-day stem cell injection procedure (Regenexx-SD) in March of 2015. The number of physicians in the U.S. who have the level of expertise to place cells with this degree of accuracy using both ultrasound and fluoroscopy and who understand where they need to go, likely numbers less than 100. How did it turn out? This is what we got back from Scott at his one-year registry questionnaire:
This blog post provides general information to help the reader better understand regenerative medicine, musculoskeletal health, and related subjects. All content provided in this blog, website, or any linked materials, including text, graphics, images, patient profiles, outcomes, and information, are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please always consult with a professional and certified healthcare provider to discuss if a treatment is right for you.
By submitting the form, you are agreeing that you read and consent to our Privacy Policy. We may also contact you via email, phone, and other electronic means to communicate information about our products and services. We do not sell, or share your information to third party vendors.
Inspiring. I hope I will have a good review of your stem cell bundle of vitamins. Looking forward to less pain.
Lucia,
We hope your pain is helped as well!
Thanks for this informative post. We read so much on knees and shoulder issues, so please keep publishing more on smaller joints such as the foot etc. Question, was there a period of immobilization and/or non-weightbearing after the injection, or relative rest from activity such as from running etc.? What would be the “typical” (or more-often-than-not) post-injection protocol for something like this?
Dave,
Depends on the friability of the tendon (i.e. how damaged it is). For most patients there is no immobilization, but if the tendon proves itself on injection to be highly damaged, a short period of crutches (i.e. 1-3 weeks) may be needed.
My wife injured her flexor hallucis longus. She jumped and landed on something dull, right under her bare foot, a child’s toy. It’s been several months but her pain has not stopped. She cannot run anymore and the doctors just tell her to rest it. We are in central California, who do I contact about this type of procedure?
Jamesfilms,
The Regenexx Physician Locator page is set up for you to enter your city and state or zipcode to see what Provider is closest to you. It’s important to make sure the Provider treats the area you’re seeking treatment for. It looks like the closest to central CA would be Healthlink Medical Center in San Rafael, and they do treat ankles/feet. Here’s the link: https://regenexx.com/find-a-physician/
Dear regenexx team, I was in a major MVA and almost had my ankle ripped off. After an unsuccessful surgery to reattach ligaments and screw bones back together I was left with a pedial fracture of the Tib. This led to a complete fusion of the ankle to “help” with pain but only made things worse. Now my FHL is constantly in pain. No one in Canada seems to have any answers other than trying different prescriptions. I don’t sleep and hardly walk because of this. Is there anyone in Canada or close to our border that could help, life seems pointless in my current condition.
D. Gadd,
Sorry to hear about your accident! We don’t have any Regenexx Providers in Canada yet. Distance depends on where in Canada you are. This patient was treated in Colorado. Please see: https://regenexx.com/blog/flexor-hallucis-longus-tendon-pain/ and https://regenexx.com/blog/lifelong-runner-gets-back-track-stem-cell-treatment/ .If you’d like to see if you would be a Candidate, please submit the Candidiate form.
I am also having similar problem…for few months I couldn’t bend my Big Toe upwards and after running every day in 1 week big toe is swollen. I am on anti-inflammatory and painkillers. My Financial situation doesn’t permit me to goto different countries. I live in Africa. Can you help me
Hi Ratna,
Many people have found that a Turmeric/Curcumin Complex, and a good quality Fish oil are helpful for pain and inflammation.