The following is an excerpt....
BASICS
Description
- The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in the body and is
subject to loads of 5–7 times body weight.
- Definition: Tendon disruption in its watershed region
- Anatomy (1):
- The terminal segment of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius and
the soleus muscles
- Is ∼15 cm long and inserts on the posterior calcaneal tuberosity
- Is surrounded by a paratenon, which allows it to glide freely
- Is composed mainly of type 1 collagen
- The blood supply to the tendon is poorest in a watershed region
from 2–6 cm proximal to the tendon’s insertion on the calcaneus.
- The tendon rotates 90° as it courses distally, concentrating
mechanical stress in the watershed area.
- Classification:
- Acute versus chronic
- Open versus ...
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