Usually occurs in patients over 60
- due to decreased vascularity & collagen weakness
Younger patient on steroids / growth hormone
Occasionally occurs in young athlete with excessive contracture
Often preceded by quadriceps tendinosis
Gastrocnemius tendon 10-25 cm long
- soleus 3-10 cm
- inserts superior calcaneal tuberosity
- fibres spiral 90°
- fibres that lie medially in proximal portion become posterior distally
- allows elastic recoil & energy storage
Plantaris present in 90% population
- medial to T Achilles
Poor blood supply midportion
- mesotenal vessels