Abstract

Background: The tendoachilles tendon is the strongest and thickest tendon in the body begins near the middle of the back of leg which is made up of the tendons of the soleus and two heads of the gastrocnemius muscles and is attached to the midpoint of the posterior surface of the calcaneum. An aberrant (abnormal) tendoachilles is attached to just posterior to the tendo-achilles tendon, calcaneal tuberocity and on medial aspect of calcaneum. An aberrant tendoachilles tendon is responsible for resistant equines deformity of club foot. The existence of aberrant tendoachilles tendon should be kept in mind by the orthopedic surgeons, podiatrist, sports physicians and physiotherapists. A lack of awareness such variations might complicate surgical repair. Aim: The current study aimed at finding out the attachment of tendoachilles tendon, presence of any aberrant (abnormal) tendoachilles tendon insertion and related clinical significance i.e. resistant club foot. Materials and Methods: 108 lower limbs, 54 right and 54 left lower limbs of 54 donated embalmed cadavers (31 males & 23 females) of age group ranging from 55 to 85 years were procured for dissection. The study was carried out for a period of 7 years in the department of Anatomy SMIMER Surat. Results: The length of the tendoachilles tendon is 0-2cm in 3.70% of cases, 2-4 cm in 25.92% of cases, 4-6 cm in 53.70% of cases, 6-8 cm in 9.25% of cases, 8-10 cm in 5.55% of cases, >10 cm only in 1.85% of cases. In all cases, attachment of tendoachilles tendon was found on posterior aspect of calcaneun that is normal. In addition to that one of the case of left lower limb (0.92% of cases), tendoachilles tendon was found attached on medial aspect of calcaneun that is called as aberrant tendoachilles tendon. Conclusion: Aberrant tendoachilles tendon is responsible for resistant equines deformity of club foot. Most of resistant club foot can be treated with use of an extensive posteromedial release of aberrant tendoachilles tendon with satisfactory functional results. The presence of such aberrant tendoachilles tendon should be kept in mind by the orthopaedicians. A lack of awareness such variations might complicate surgical repair.

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