Home Body Atlas Tendons Inferior Extensor Retinaculum (Ankle)
Tendon Foot & Ankle

Inferior Extensor Retinaculum (Ankle)

retinaculum musculorum extensorum inferius pedis

The inferior extensor retinaculum is a Y-shaped structure with a lateral stem from the calcaneus and two medial arms — one to the medial malleolus and one to the medial cuneiform. The EHL crosses from lateral to medial beneath it. The subtalar canal (tarsal sinus) lies immediately lateral to its stem. The inferior extensor retinaculum forms the superior boundary of the tarsal canal.

Region: Foot & Ankle
Biomechanics

Function & Actions

Maintains the extensor tendons against the dorsal foot; guides the tendons around the ankle contour during motion

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The inferior extensor retinaculum is used as a checkrein flap during Brostrom lateral ankle ligament repair — its distal limb is sutured to the fibula alongside the ATFL repair (the Gould modification) to reinforce the lateral ankle repair and reduce recurrence rates from 10% to less than 5%.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Brostrom-Gould Modification

Inferior extensor retinaculum advanced and sutured to the fibula alongside ATFL repair in the Gould modification, reducing lateral ankle instability recurrence rates.

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