MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF TENDOACHILLES TENDON WITH ITS CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Background: Tendoachilles tendon, the strongest and thickest tendon of the body, is formed by tendons of soleus and gastrocnemius begins near the middle of the back of leg and is inserted to the midpoint of the posterior surface of the calcaneum. Normal morphometric measurements of Achilles tendon serve as an important landmark in its anthropometric evaluation and biomechanical attribute. The morphological changes in the tendon size provide important health information for the management of various clinical conditions related to Achilles tendons like simple tendinopathy or acute ruptures of it etc. Aim: The current study aimed at finding out the detailed morphometric measurements of the Achilles tendon which can be of substantial use to clinicians for determining any pathological conditions associated with tendoachilles. Materials and Methods: Total 108 lower limbs from 54 donated embalmed cadavers (31 males & 23 females) of age between 55 to 85 years were procured for dissection. The study was carried out in the department of Anatomy SMIMER Surat. Results: Present cadaveric study found that the length of tendoachilles was significantly high in male than in female and no statistically significant difference in length of tendoachilles between right and left side were noted. The width of the tendoachilles at origin between the right and left side tendons was statistically significant. Discussion: We found that the length of Tendoachilles was significantly high in male than in female and also width of the tendoachilles at origin was more on right side. Being a frequent site for rupture, degenerative change and inflammation, knowledge pertaining to normal morphometric measurements of Achilles tendon is imperative before determining any pathological variations associated with the tendon and opens the management options to orthopedic surgeons, podiatrist, sports physicians and physiotherapists.