What is the Achilles tendon?
At all Sports Specialist Rehab Centre locations, our staff frequently diagnose and treat Achilles tendon injuries. While injury to the Achilles tendon may be quite common, with questioning, even though our patients may be aware of where the Achilles tendon is located, few are aware or understand what the Achilles tendon is.
A tendon is connective tissue that attaches a muscle or group of muscles to a bone. When a muscle contracts, the tendon pulls on the bone it attaches to and subsequently moves the bone resulting in joint motion.
The Achilles tendon is the tissue formed from the union of tendons from the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. These muscles primarily make up the “calf” muscle (located in the back part of the lower leg just below the knee). The Achilles forms just above half way down the back part of the lower leg and attaches to the calcaneus (i.e. “heel bone”). As such, with contraction of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, the Achilles can drive the foot into a toe pointed down (i.e. “plantar flexion”) motion. In about 7%-20% of the population, individuals can have an “accessory” or additional muscle called the plantaris muscle. While the tendon of the plantaris muscle binds to the calcaneus as well, it may or may not be part of the Achilles tendon proper in these individuals.
If you have any questions regarding the Achilles tendon or believe that you may have injured it, please contact our head office today or book on-line in order to secure your assessment from one of our amazing staff!
Author: Dr. Paolo De Ciantis, B.Sc.(Hons.), M.Sc., D.C.