Anatomy of the Achilles Tendon and Plantar Fascia in Relation to the Calcaneus in Various Age Groups

Abstract

Ten adult cadaver feet, three neonatal feet, and the feet of two fetuses were dissected to investigate whether an anatomical continuity exists between the fibers of the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia. Histologic sections of the feet were done in three age groups: neonate, persons in their mid-20s, and the elderly. As the foot ages, there appears to be continued diminution of the number of fibers connecting the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia. The neonate has a thick continuation of fibers, while the middle-aged foot has only superficial periosteal fibers that continue from tendon to fascia. The elderly feet show simply an insertion of fibers of both structures into the calcaneus with periosteum in between.

The Achilles Tendon Insertion is Crescent-shaped: An In Vitro Anatomic Investigation

“…The occurrence and insertional variety of the plantaris tendon are similar to those reported [9]. Anatomic reports of this area exclusively involved gross anatomic [7,34] or sagittal sections [32,41]. Observations performed only in one plane, however, may not reflect the Achilles tendons three-dimensional insertions.…”

“…However, when the Achilles tendon also is illustrated, confusion is caused by presenting different insertional tendon shapes. Some anatomic [1,29] and operative [5,42] textbooks and articles [7,32,34,41] have depicted the Achilles tendon insertion only from a lateral or medial view leading to the impression that the tendon's shape does not change from its oval midportion cross section to the insertional area [5,7,9,29,42,44]. Images of the Achilles tendon insertion in a transverse plane occasionally are presented, showing a slightly bent [19,27,35] or an unbowed [8] Achilles tendon insertion.…”

“…Images of the Achilles tendon insertion in a transverse plane occasionally are presented, showing a slightly bent [19,27,35] or an unbowed [8] Achilles tendon insertion. Relevant Achilles or plantaris tendon fiber extensions to the medial or lateral calcaneal wall are rarely [9,35] or are not illustrated [1,5,7,8,19,29,32,34,41,42].…”

Fasciae of the Lower Limb

“…Thus, the plantar fascia contributes to a more homogeneous distribution of Achilles stress and permits transmission of force from the hind to the forefoot and vice versa. Snow et al (1995) have demonstrated that aging produces a continued diminution of the number of fibres connecting the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia. The neonate has a thick continuation of fibres, the middle aged foot has only superficial periosteal fibres that continue from tendon to fascia, while in elderly feet no connections could be found at all.…”

Uso de la microtenotomía por radiofrecuencia con el dispositivo Topaz® para el tratamiento de la tendinopatía aquílea no insercional

“…Las tendinosis son procesos degenerativos cró-nicos asociados al sobreuso [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] . Un tendón sano contiene un 95% de tenocitos y tenoblastos, que poseén hasta un 80% de colágeno tipo I y un 2% de elastina 15 .…”