Spontaneous rupture of the tibialis anterior tendon. A case report.

Spontaneous rupture of the tibialis anterior tendon occurred in a 65-year-old man with diabetes mellitus. Treatment with sliding tendon lengthening of the proximal portion of the tibialis anterior tendon was successful. This unusual injury occurs in diabetics older than 45 years of age, following minor trauma. The condition can be misdiagnosed as peroneal nerve deficit. Tibialis anterior tendon deficit should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with isolated weakness of foot dorsiflexion.