Fascicles of the adult human Achilles tendon – An anatomical study

Szaro, Paweł; Witkowski, Grzegorz; Śmigıelski, Robert; Krajewski, Paweł; Ciszek, Bogdan

doi:10.1016/j.aanat.2009.07.006

Cited by 152 publications

(225 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

199

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…This difference in strain may be due to differences in the geometrical shape or composition of the tendon (Thomopoulos et al, 2003), torsion effects in the free tendon (van Gils et al, 2009) and forces applied by the different muscles of the triceps surae to different parts of the tendon (Szaro et al, 2009). Importantly, we did not find evidence of increased strain relative to torque level after the run for the gastrocnemius tendon, while we did for the free tendon, which supports previous ultrasound studies examining the influence of rigorous exercise on gastrocnemius tendon mechanical properties (Farris et al, 2012;Peltonen et al, 2010;Peltonen et al, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of running on human Achilles tendon length-tension properties in the free and gastrocnemius components

Lichtwark

Cresswell

Newsham-West

2013

Journal of Experimental Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SUMMARYThe elastic properties of the human Achilles tendon are important for locomotion; however, in vitro tests suggest that repeated cyclic contractions lead to tendon fatigue -an increase in length in response to stress applied. In vivo experiments have not, however, demonstrated mechanical fatigue in the Achilles tendon, possibly due to the limitations of using two-dimensional ultrasound imaging to assess tendon strain. This study used freehand three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) to determine whether the free Achilles tendon (calcaneus to soleus) or the gastrocnemius tendon (calcaneus to gastrocnemius) demonstrated tendon fatigue after running exercise. Participants (N=9) underwent 3DUS scans of the Achilles tendon during isometric contractions at four ankle torque levels (passive, and 14, 42 and 70 N m) before and after a 5 km run at a self-selected pace (10-14 km h −1). Running had a significant main effect on the length of the free Achilles tendon (P<0.01) with a small increase in length across the torque range. However, the mean lengthening effect was small (<1%) and was not accompanied by a change in free tendon stiffness. There was no significant change in the length of the gastrocnemius tendon or the free tendon cross-sectional area. While the free tendon was shown to lengthen, the lack of change in stiffness suggests the tendon exhibited mechanical creep rather than fatigue. These effects were much smaller than those predicted from in vitro experiments, possibly due to the different loading profile encountered and the ability of the tendon to repair in vivo.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of running on human Achilles tendon length-tension properties in the free and gastrocnemius components

Lichtwark

Cresswell

Newsham-West

2013

Journal of Experimental Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The calcaneal tendon is accompanied by the superficial digital flexor tendon and together they form the common calcanean tendon. As these tendons track distally, they rotate in a lateral direction, which reflects the spiral arrangement of the fibers and fascicles of the human Achilles tendon (Doherty et al 2006, Szaro et al 2009, Doral et al 2010). Due to the lateral rotation, at the level of the calcaneal tuber the superficial digital flexor tendon is positioned immediately caudal to the calcaneal tendon insertion (Doherty et al 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consequently, we do not distinguish the common calcanean tendon in a man and all described Achilles tendinopathies refer clearly to the calcaneal tendon, i.e. the tendons of the gastrocnemius and soleus (Szaro et al 2009, Doral et al 2010. It should be kept in mind that, the analysis of the experimental research with laboratory animals utilizing the components of the common calcanean tendon, like superficial digital flexor tendon or tendons of the medial or lateral head of the gastrocnemius, are applied to the human calcaneal tendon pathologies only by analogy and not by straightforward translation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrasonography and Low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Common Calcanean Tendon in a Rabbit Model for Tendinopathy Research: a Descriptive Study of Normal Anatomy

Skalec¹,

Przyborowska-Zhalniarovich²,

Janus³

et al. 2016

Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In spite of recent advances in treatment protocols, tendinopathies continue to challenge orthopaedists and surgeons. Due to the complexity of both tendon injuries and the healing processes, animal models are essential for addressing fundamental questions in tendinopathy research. Diagnostic imaging could contribute to the evaluation of animal models, thus providing information, which could be translated to human tendinopathies. The objective of our study was to evaluate in situ appearance of the rabbit common calcanean tendon with ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, we sought to assess and compare the feasibility and usefulness of these techniques in a rabbit model while focusing on the imaging of the particular structures involved in calcaneal tendon disorders. Eight California rabbits were used for post-mortem sonographic and low-field magnetic resonance examination. Morphometry was performed on longitudinal sonograms and sagittal MRI scans. The craniocaudal diameter of the tendon was measured at four points of interest. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance provided good visualisation of the tendon origin, the paratenon and the pre-Achilles fat pad. Magnetic resonance images presented in more detail the structure of the calcaneal insertion. Both modalities failed to visualise the individual components of the common calcanean tendon and the bursa of the calcaneal tendon. Statistical analysis of measurements obtained showed that the craniocaudal diameter of the common calcanean tendon in a rabbit increases significantly with a growing length from the calcaneal tuber. Both magnetic resonance and ultrasonography are feasible, and should be considered complementary, not alternative imaging techniques in a rabbit common calcanean tendon model.

show abstract

“…Spiraling causes fibers from the gastrocnemius to become oriented on the posterior and lateral portion of the tendon while fibers from the soleus become located on the anterior and medial portion of the tendon. 129 The tendon is not encased in a true synovial sheath but rather is surrounded by a paratenon, a single cell layer of fatty areolar tissue. 115 Blood supply to the tendon is evident at 3 locations: the muscle-tendon junction, along the course of the tendon, and at the tendon-bone insertion.…”

Section: Pathoanatomical Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%