Release of the Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon in Ballet Dancers*

ABSTRACT: Thirteen female ballet dancers had an operative release of the flexor hallucis longus ten-don because of isolated stenosing tenosynovitis, and the results were reviewed after a mean duration of follow-up of six years and six months (range, two to ten years). All of the patients danced at the advanced or professional level, and all had failed to respond to non-operative management. The mean age of the pa-tients at the time of the operation was twenty years (range, thirteen to twenty-six years). Symptoms, which included pain and tenderness over the medial aspect of the subtalar joint, had been present for a mean of six months (range, two to twelve months) preop-erative ^ and were exacerbated by jumping and by attempts to perform en pointe work. Crepitus wa