Achilles Tendon Lengthening

An equinus or plantarflexed positioning of the calcaneus relative to the tibia often results in shortening of the Achilles tendon, gastrocsoleus complex, or both. This may result in a number of patient symptoms including abnormal gait, pain with weight bearing, toe walking, plantar forefoot callosities, and inability to properly fit into orthoses. When properly indicated, operative Achilles lengthening corrects fixed ankle equinus that exists with the knee flexed as well as extended. The ultimate goal is to improve ankle dorsiflexion, ideally to 10° of ankle dorsiflexion past neutral with the knee flexed and 5° with the knee fully extended. In this video, we discuss the clinical decision making, various surgical techniques, and postoperative protocol of Achilles lengthening. <p><a href="https://www.jposna.org/ojs/index.php/jposna/article/view/310" target="_blank">Read the article in JPOSNA</a></p>