The hook test for rupture of tibialis anterior tendon

• Published in: Foot & Ankle Surgery: Techniques, Reports & Cases
• Main Author: Om Lahoti
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
• Subjects: Tibialis anterior tendon rupture; Hook test; Clinical assessment
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667396725000680

Background: Chronic rupture of the tibialis anterior tendon is uncommon, and delays in diagnosis are common. The reasons are multifactorial, and incomplete physical examination is one of them. Methods: The author describes a Tibialis Anterior Tendon (TAT) hook test to aid in diagnosis. The test is based on the normal anatomy of the TAT at the ankle, and a positive test confirms a normal intact tendon. A negative test confirms loss of continuity. This is a simple test that can be performed quickly and easily. This is easy to teach. Results: The author has been using the test since 2021 and has diagnosed four cases of TAT chronic tear by the end of 2024. Conclusions: The tibialis anterior hook test helps diagnosis of chronic ruptures. This test has not been previously described in the literature. The technique and experience of the author are presented in this paper. Levels of Evidence: Level IV – Case series