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      Anatomic study suggests that the morphology of the plantaris tendon may be related to Achilles tendonitis

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          Abstract

          Purpose

          Achilles tendinopathy is a significant clinical lower limb issue observed in recent years. Neither the location nor the mechanism behind the pain has yet been sufficiently explained. Patients frequently experience pain on the medial side of the calcaneal tendon, and between 2 and 7 cm above the calcaneal tuberosity, which may suggests that the plantaris tendon plays an important role. The purpose of this study was to determine the anatomical relationships between the course of the plantaris tendon and the calcaneal tendon, as well as the type of insertion of the plantaris tendon.

          Methods

          The tests were carried out on 50 randomized lower limbs (23 left and 27 right) fixed in 10 % formalin solution.

          Results

          Five insertion types of the plantaris tendon were identified in relation to the calcaneal tendon: four with their insertion on the calcaneal tuberosity (Types 1, 2, 3, 5), while the fifth (Type 4) had its insertion in the crural fascia. In addition, two variants of the course of the plantaris tendon were identified, the most common being termed Variant A, in which the tendon crosses the space between the gastrocnemius and the soleus muscles, thus reaching the medial crural region, and is located on the medial side of the calcaneal tendon (84 % cases). The course of the Variant B is similar to the course of the Variant A, but upon leaving the space located between the gastrocnemius and soleus muscle, it turned to the medial crural region and ran directly anterior to the calcaneal tendon (12 %). The plantaris muscle was found to be absent in two lower limbs (4 %). The most frequent insertion type of the plantaris tendon into the calcaneal tuberosity is fan-shaped, occurring on the medial side of the Achilles tendon (Type 1–44 % cases).

          Conclusion

          The course of the plantaris tendon and its mobility range in relation to the calcaneal tendon may be likely to affect the occurrence of pains in the lower medial part of the leg (Achilles tendinopathy).

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          Most cited references17

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          Plantar fascia anatomy and its relationship with Achilles tendon and paratenon.

          Carla Stecco, Marco Corradin, Veronica Macchi … (2013)
          Although the plantar fascia (PF) has been studied quite well from a biomechanical viewpoint, its microscopic properties have been overlooked: nothing is known about its content of elastic fibers, the features of the extracellular matrix or the extent of innervation. From a functional and clinical standpoint, the PF is often correlated with the triceps surae muscle, but the anatomical grounds for this link are not clear. The aim of this work was to focus on the PF macroscopic and microscopic properties and study how Achilles tendon diseases might affect it. Twelve feet from unembalmed human cadavers were dissected to isolate the PF. Specimens from each PF were tested with various histological and immunohistochemical stains. In a second stage, 52 magnetic resonance images (MRI) obtained from patients complaining of aspecific ankle or foot pain were analyzed, dividing the cases into two groups based on the presence or absence of signs of degeneration and/or inflammation of the Achilles tendon. The thickness of PF and paratenon was assessed in the two groups and statistical analyses were conducted. The PF is a tissue firmly joined to plantar muscles and skin. Analyzing its possible connections to the sural structures showed that this fascia is more closely connected to the paratenon of Achilles tendon than to the Achilles tendon, through the periosteum of the heel. The PF extended medially and laterally, continuing into the deep fasciae enveloping the abductor hallucis and abductor digiti minimi muscles, respectively. The PF was rich in hyaluronan, probably produced by fibroblastic-like cells described as 'fasciacytes'. Nerve endings and Pacini and Ruffini corpuscles were present, particularly in the medial and lateral portions, and on the surface of the muscles, suggesting a role for the PF in the proprioception of foot. In the radiological study, 27 of the 52 MRI showed signs of Achilles tendon inflammation and/or degeneration, and the PF was 3.43 ± 0.48 mm thick (99%CI and SD = 0.95), as opposed to 2.09 ± 0.24 mm (99%CI, SD = 0.47) in the patients in which the MRI revealed no Achilles tendon diseases; this difference in thickness of 1.29 ± 0.57 mm (99%CI) was statistically significant (P < 0.001). In the group of 27/52 patients with tendinopathies, the PF was more than 4.5 mm thick in 5, i.e. they exceeded the threshold for a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis. None of the other 25/52 paitents had a PF more than 4 mm thick. There was a statistically significant correlation between the thicknesses of the PF and the paratenon. These findings suggest that the plantar fascia has a role not only in supporting the longitudinal arch of the foot, but also in its proprioception and peripheral motor coordination. Its relationship with the paratenon of the Achilles tendon is consistent with the idea of triceps surae structures being involved in the PF pathology, so their rehabilitation can be considered appropriate. Finally, the high concentration of hyaluronan in the PF points to the feasibility of using hyaluronan injections in the fascia to treat plantar fasciitis.
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            The plantaris tendon and a potential role in mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy: an observational anatomical study.

            Maayke N van Sterkenburg, Gino Kerkhoffs, Roeland Kleipool … (2011)
            The source of pain and the background to the pain mechanisms associated with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy have not yet been clarified. Intratendinous degenerative changes are most often addressed when present. However, it is questionable if degeneration of the tendon itself is the main cause of pain. Pain is often most prominent on the medial side, 2-7cm from the insertion onto the calcaneus. The medial location of the pain has been explained to be caused by enhanced stress on the calcaneal tendon due to hyperpronation. However, on this medial side the plantaris tendon is also located. It has been postulated that the plantaris tendon might play a role in these medially located symptoms. To our knowledge, the exact anatomy and relationship between the plantaris- and calcaneal tendon at the level of complaints have not been anatomically assessed. This was the purpose of our study. One-hundred and seven lower extremities were dissected. After opening the superficial fascia and paratendon, the plantaris tendon was bluntly released from the calcaneal tendon moving distally. The incidence of the plantaris tendon, its course, site of insertion and possible connections were documented. When with manual force the plantaris tendon could not be released, it was defined as a 'connection' with the calcaneal tendon. In all specimens a plantaris tendon was identified. Nine different sites of insertion were found, mostly medial and fan-shaped onto the calcaneus. In 11 specimens (10%) firm connections were found at the level of the calcaneal tendon mid-portion. Clinical and histological studies are needed to confirm the role of the plantaris tendon in mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy.
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              Midportion Achilles tendinosis and the plantaris tendon.

              H Alfredson (2011)
              When re-operating patients with midportion Achilles tendinosis, having had a poor effect of ultrasound (US) and Doppler-guided scraping, the author found the involvement of the plantaris tendon to be a likely reason for the poor result. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of a plantaris tendon in close relation to the Achilles tendon in consecutive patients with midportion Achilles tendinosis undergoing treatment with US and Doppler-guided scraping. This study includes 73 consecutive tendons with chronic painful midportion Achilles tendinosis, where US+Doppler examination showed thickening, irregular tendon structure, hypo-echoic regions, and localised high blood flow outside and inside the ventral Achilles midportion. The tendons were treated with US+Doppler-guided scraping, via a medial incision. If there was a plantaris tendon located in close relation to the medial Achilles, it was extirpated. An invaginated, or 'close by located', enlarged plantaris tendon was found in 58 of 73 (80%) tendons. Preliminary clinical results of the combined procedure, US + Doppler-guided surgical scraping and extirpation of the plantaris tendon, are very promising. A thickened plantaris tendon located in close relation to the medial Achilles seems common in patients with chronic painful midportion tendinosis. The role of the plantaris tendon in midportion Achilles tendinosis needs to be further evaluated and should be kept in mind when treating this condition.
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                Author and article information

                Contributors
                Łukasz Olewnik: (042)6304949 , lukasz.olewnik@umed.lodz.pl
                Journal
                Journal ID (nlm-ta): Surg Radiol Anat
                Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Surg Radiol Anat
                Title: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy
                Publisher: Springer Paris (Paris )
                ISSN (Print): 0930-1038
                ISSN (Electronic): 1279-8517
                Publication date (Electronic): 7 May 2016
                Publication date PMC-release: 7 May 2016
                Publication date (Print): 2017
                Volume: 39
                Issue: 1
                Pages: 69-75
                Affiliations
                [1 ]ISNI 0000 0001 2165 3025, GRID grid.8267.b, Department of Normal and Clinical Anatomy, Interfaculty Chair of Anatomy and Histology, , Medical University of Lodz, ; ul. Narutowicza 60, 90-136 Lodz, Poland
                [2 ]ISNI 0000 0001 2165 3025, GRID grid.8267.b, Department of Angiology, Interfaculty Chair of Anatomy and Histology, , Medical University of Lodz, ; Lodz, Poland
                Article
                Publisher ID: 1682
                DOI: 10.1007/s00276-016-1682-1
                PMC ID: 5309290
                PubMed ID: 27155667
                SO-VID: 64f8348c-980e-40af-affb-e740956e3c91
                Copyright © © The Author(s) 2016
                License:

                Open AccessThis article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

                History
                Date received : 22 December 2015
                Date accepted : 28 April 2016
                Categories
                Subject: Original Article
                Custom metadata
                issue-copyright-statement © Springer-Verlag France 2017

                ScienceOpen disciplines: Surgery
                Keywords: calcaneal tendon,plantaris muscle,mid-portion achilles tendinopathy,plantaris tendon
                Data availability:
                ScienceOpen disciplines: Surgery
                Keywords: calcaneal tendon, plantaris muscle, mid-portion achilles tendinopathy, plantaris tendon

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