Sharp pain in a normal Achilles tendon of a professional female football player was related to a plantaris tendon in a rare position: a case report

Abstract Background Plantaris tendinopathy and plantaris-associated Achilles tendinopathy can be responsible for chronic pain in the Achilles tendon midportion, often accompanied by medial tenderness. As conservative treatments are less successful for this patient group, proper diagnosis is important for decision making. This report presents a case with plantaris tendinopathy in a rare (superficial) location. Case presentation This article describes a pain history and treatment timeline of a professional Swedish female soccer player (32 years old, Northern European ethnicity, white) who suffered from sharp pain in the Achilles tendon midportion and tenderness on the medial and superficial side for about 2 years. Conservative treatments, including eccentric exercises, were not successful and, to some extent, even caused additional irritation in that region. Ultrasound showed a wide and thick plantaris tendon located on the superficial side of the Achilles tendon midportion. The patient was surgically treated with local removal of the plantaris tendon. After surgery there was a relatively quick (4–6 weeks) rehabilitation, with immediate weight bearing, gradual increased loading, and return to running activities after 4 weeks. At follow-up at 8 weeks, the patient was running and had not experienced any further episodes of sharp pain during change of direction or sprinting. Conclusions The plantaris tendon should be considered as a possible source of Achilles tendon pain. This case study demonstrates that the plantaris tendon can be found in unexpected (superficial) positions and needs to be carefully visualized during clinical and imaging examinations.

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Ultrasound and surgical inspection of plantaris tendon involvement in chronic painful insertional Achilles tendinopathy: a case series

BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine ◽

10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000979 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. e000979

Author(s):

Håkan Alfredson ◽

Lorenzo Masci ◽

Christoph Spang

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Fatty Infiltration ◽

Case Series ◽

Achilles Tendinopathy ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Plantaris Tendon ◽

Medial Pain ◽

Tendon Insertion ◽

Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy

ObjectivesChronic painful insertional Achilles tendinopathy is known to be difficult to manage. The diagnosis is not always easy because multiple different tissues can be involved. The plantaris tendon has recently been described to frequently be involved in chronic painful mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy. This study aimed to evaluate possible plantaris tendon involvement in patients with chronic painful insertional Achilles tendinopathy.MethodsNinety-nine consecutive patients (74 males, 25 females) with a mean age of 40 years (range 24–64) who were surgically treated for insertional Achilles tendinopathy, were included. Clinical examination, ultrasound (US)+Doppler examination, and surgical findings were used to evaluate plantaris tendon involvement.ResultsIn 48/99 patients, there were clinical symptoms of plantaris tendon involvement with pain and tenderness located medially at the Achilles tendon insertion. In all these cases, surgical findings showed a thick and wide plantaris tendon together with a richly vascularised fatty infiltration between the plantaris and Achilles tendon. US examination suspected plantaris involvement in 32/48 patients.ConclusionPlantaris tendon involvement can potentially be part of the pathology in chronic painful insertional Achilles tendinopathy and should be considered for diagnosis and treatment when there is distinct and focal medial pain and tenderness.Level of evidenceIV case series.

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Prevalence of Coexistent Plantaris Tendon Pathology in Patients with Mid-Portion Achilles Pathology: A Retrospective MRI Study

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports7050124 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. 124

Author(s):

Sachin Khullar ◽

Prasanna Gamage ◽

Peter Malliaras ◽

Leesa Huguenin ◽

Ashutosh Prakash ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Correlation Coefficient ◽

Coefficient Of Variation ◽

Achilles Tendinopathy ◽

Careful Consideration ◽

Pathological Characteristics ◽

Plantaris Tendon ◽

Mri Study ◽

Tendon Pathology ◽

Musculoskeletal Radiologist

Co-existence of Plantaris tendinopathy (PT) in patients with mid-Achilles tendinopathy (Mid-AT) is of clinical significance. This study aims to describe the MRI-based pathological characteristics of co-existing PT and Mid-AT. One-hundred MRI studies of patients diagnosed with Mid-AT were retrospectively analysed by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist. Presence or absence of a Plantaris tendon, co-existing PT with Mid-AT, insertional characteristics of Plantaris tendon, and maximum anteroposterior thickness of the tendon in Mid-AT (axial images) were evaluated. When PT co-existed with Mid-AT, the location of the tendon pathologies in relation to calcaneal insertion was assessed (sagittal images) and their association was analysed using the coefficient of variation (CV) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Plantaris was present in 84 cases (84%), and Mid-AT and PT co-existed in 10 cases (10%). A greater variability in the location of Plantaris pathology (CV = 42%) than Achilles tendinopathy (CV = 42%) was observed. The correlation coefficient also revealed a low and non-significant association between the location of two pathologies when they exist together (r = +0.06; p = 0.88). Clinical evaluation of Achilles tendon pain needs careful consideration into the possible co-existence of Plantaris pathology. The considerable difference observed in the location of PT and Mid-AT suggest possible isolated pathologies and differentials for Achilles tendon pain.

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Surgical plantaris tendon removal for patients with plantaris tendon-related pain only and a normal Achilles tendon: a case series

BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine ◽

10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000462 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. e000462 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Håkan Alfredson ◽

Lorenzo Masci ◽

Christoph Spang

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Case Series ◽

Achilles Tendinopathy ◽

Activity Level ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Surgical Removal ◽

Return To Sports ◽

Medial Side ◽

Plantaris Tendon ◽

Case Series Study

ObjectivesSurgical removal of the plantaris tendon can cure plantaris-associated Achilles tendinopathy, a condition in which Achilles and plantaris tendinopathy coexist. However, rare cases with plantaris tendinopathy alone are often misdiagnosed due to a normal Achilles tendon.Design and settingProspective case series study at one centre.ParticipantsTen consecutive patients (9 men and one woman, mean age 35 years, range 19–67) with plantaris tendon-related pain alone in altogether 13 tendons were included. All had had a long duration (median 10 months, range 3 months to 10 years) of pain symptoms on the medial side of the Achilles tendon mid-portion. Preoperative ultrasound showed thickened plantaris tendon but a normal Achilles tendon.InterventionsOperative treatment consisting of ultrasound-guided excision of the plantaris tendon.Primary and secondary outcome measuresScores from Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A)were taken preoperatively and postoperatively (median duration 10 months). Patient satisfaction and time until full return to sports activity level was asked by a questionnaire.ResultsThe VISA-A scores increased from 61 (range 45–81) preoperatively to 97 (range 94–100) postoperatively (p<0.01). Follow-up results at 10 months (range 7–72 months) on 9/10 patients showed full satisfaction and return to their preinjury sports or recreational activityConclusionThe plantaris tendon should be kept in mind when evaluating painful conditions in the Achilles tendon region, especially when no Achilles tendinopathy is present. Excision of the plantaris tendon via a minor surgical procedure in local anaesthesia results in a good outcome.

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Achilles Scraping and Plantaris Tendon Removal Improves Pain and Tendon Structure in Patients with Mid-Portion Achilles Tendinopathy—A 24 Month Follow-Up Case Series

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10122695 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 2695

Author(s):

Lorenzo Masci ◽

Bradley Stephen Neal ◽

William Wynter Bee ◽

Christoph Spang ◽

Håkan Alfredson

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Case Series ◽

Achilles Tendinopathy ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Symptom Duration ◽

Type I ◽

Program Outcomes ◽

Medial Side ◽

Plantaris Tendon

Background: Studies have demonstrated that a sub-group of patients with medial Achilles pain exhibit Achilles tendinopathy with plantaris tendon involvement. This clinical condition is characterised by structural relationships and functional interference between the two tendons, resulting in compressive or shearing forces. Surgical plantaris tendon removal together with an Achilles scraping procedure has demonstrated positive short-term clinical results. The aim of this case series was to determine the long-term outcomes on pain and Achilles tendon structure. Methods: 18 consecutive patients (13 males; 5 females; mean age 39 years; mean symptom duration 28 months), of which three were elites, were included. Clinical examination, b-mode ultrasound (US) and Ultrasound Tissue Characterisation (UTC) confirmed medial Achilles tendon pain and tenderness, medial Achilles tendinopathy plus a plantaris tendon located close to the medial side of the Achilles tendon. Patients underwent US-guided local Achilles scraping and plantaris tendon removal followed by a structured rehabilitation program. Outcomes were VISA-A score for pain and function and UTC for Achilles structure. Results: 16 of 18 patients completed the 24 months follow-up. Mean VISA-A scores increased from 58.2 (±15.9) to 92.0 (±9.2) (mean difference = 33.8, 95% CI 25.2, 42.8, p < 0.01). There was an improvement in Achilles structure with mean organised echo pixels (UTC type I+II, in %) increasing from 79.9 (±11.5) to 86.4 (±10.0) (mean difference = 6.5%, 95% CI 0.80, 13.80, p =0.01), exceeding the 3.4% minimum detectable change. All 16 patients reported satisfaction with the procedure and 14 returned to pre-injury activity levels. There were no reported complications. Conclusions: Improved pain, function and tendon structure were observed 24 months after treatment with Achilles scraping and plantaris excision. The improvement in structure on the medial side of the Achilles after plantaris removal indicates that compression from the plantaris tendon might be an important presenting factor in this sub-group.

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Results of minimally invasive Achilles tendon scraping and plantaris tendon removal in patients with chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy: A longer-term follow-up study

SAGE Open Medicine ◽

10.1177/2050312118822642 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 205031211882264 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Anna Ruergård ◽

Christoph Spang ◽

Håkan Alfredson

Keyword(s):

Minimally Invasive ◽

Achilles Tendon ◽

Treatment Time ◽

Achilles Tendinopathy ◽

Colour Doppler ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

Plantaris Tendon ◽

High Satisfaction ◽

Satisfaction Rates

Background: Treatment with ultrasound and colour Doppler–guided minimally invasive Achilles tendon scraping and plantaris tendon removal has shown promising short-term results in patients with chronic painful midportion Achilles tendinopathy. Methods: In a follow-up study, 182 consecutive patients (241 tendons) who had undergone Achilles tendon scraping and plantaris tendon removal were contacted on telephone by an independent investigator. The patients who answered the telephone call were included, and they answered a questionnaire on telephone and then also sent their written answers. The questionnaire included information about patient satisfaction with the result of the treatment, time to return to full Achilles tendon loading activity, and a pain score (Visual Analogue Scale-VAS). Results: The follow-up period was 5.8 years (mean) (range of 2–13 years) after surgery. Altogether, 110 patients (136 Achilles tendons), 52 years (mean)(range 18-73) old at surgery could be reached and were included. In total, 81 tendons were operated with the Achilles scraping procedure alone, and for 55 Achilles operations also a plantaris tendon removal was performed. For 93% of the operated tendons, the patients were satisfied with the surgical outcome and the VAS had decreased from 74 preoperatively to 8 postoperatively. Nine male patients (9 tendons), five operated with scraping + plantaris removal, had remaining tendon pain during loading and were not satisfied. Their VAS score ranged from 22 to 91. For 21% of the operated tendons, some occasional mild discomfort not preventing from full tendon loading, was reported. There were no differences in pain reduction and satisfaction rates between men and women, and between Achilles scraping alone and scraping plus plantaris removal. Conclusion: Ultrasound and colour Doppler–guided surgical Achilles tendon scraping and plantaris tendon removal in patients with chronic painful midportion Achilles tendinopathy show remaining good clinical outcomes and high satisfaction rates in this longer-term follow-up.

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To What Extent Do Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Biomarkers Relate to Pain, Flexibility, Strength, and Function in Individuals With Chronic Symptomatic Achilles Tendinopathy?

Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences ◽

10.3389/fresc.2021.726313 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

Mathieu Lalumiere ◽

Sarah Perrino ◽

Marie-Josée Nadeau ◽

Christian Larivière ◽

Martin Lamontagne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Predictive Validity ◽

Treatment Plan ◽

Weight Bearing ◽

Achilles Tendinopathy ◽

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound ◽

Discriminative Validity ◽

Ankle Strength ◽

And Function ◽

Ankle Flexibility

Introduction: Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a chronic musculoskeletal pathology best evaluated by ultrasound imaging. This cross-sectional study aimed at better understanding the relationship between musculoskeletal ultrasound biomarkers (MUBs) of Achilles tendon and localized pain, ankle flexibility, ankle strength, and functional abilities.Method: Forty-one participants with unilateral midportion chronic AT had their tendon images analyzed bilaterally in the longitudinal and transverse planes. The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A) and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) assessed pain and function, respectively, during standing and walking-related activities. Ankle flexibility was evaluated by weight-bearing lunge tests, while ankle isometric peak strength was measured using an instrumented dynamometer. Achilles tendon ultrasonographic images were analyzed using geometric (thickness), composition (echogenicity), and texture (homogeneity) MUBs. Discriminative validity was evaluated using paired Student's t-tests to compare MUBs between symptomatic and asymptomatic sides. Predictive validity was evaluated by computing the Pearson product-moment correlations coefficient between MUBs and pain, ankle flexibility, ankle strength, and function.Results: Significant differences were found in MUBs between the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides, confirming the discriminative validity of the selected MUBs. On the symptomatic side, thickness was found 29.9% higher (p < 0.001), echogenicity 9.6% lower (p < 0.001), and homogeneity 3.8% higher (p = 0.001) when compared with the asymptomatic side. However, predictive validity was scarcely confirmed, as most of the correlation coefficients were found negligible for the associations investigated between MUBs with localized pain, ankle flexibility, strength, and function. Only 14 statistically significant low to moderate associations were found, with negative and positive correlations ranging between −0.31 and −0.55 and between 0.34 and 0.54, respectively.Discussion: Musculoskeletal ultrasound biomarkers have a clinical utility in visualizing in vivo tendon integrity and diagnosing AT. MUBs should be valued as part of a comprehensive neuro-musculoskeletal assessment as they complement pain, flexibility, strength, and function measures. Altogether, they may inform the development and monitoring of a personalized rehabilitation treatment plan.

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Surgical treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy: results after removal of the subcutaneous bursa alone—a case series

BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine ◽

10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000769 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. e000769

Author(s):

Håkan Alfredson ◽

Christoph Spang

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Weight Bearing ◽

Case Series ◽

Achilles Tendinopathy ◽

Full Weight Bearing ◽

Bone Pathology ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Pain Mechanisms ◽

Painful Condition ◽

Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy

BackgroundInsertional Achilles tendinopathy is well known to be difficult to treat, especially when there is intra-tendinous bone pathology. This study is a case series on patients with chronic insertional Achilles tendon pain and major intra-tendinous bony pathology together with bursa and tendon pathology, treated with excision of the subcutaneous bursa alone.MethodsEleven patients (eight men and three women) with a mean age of 44 years (range 24–62) and a chronic (>6 months) painful condition from altogether 15 Achilles tendon insertions were included. In all patients, ultrasound examination showed intra-tendinous bone pathology together with pathology in the tendon and subcutaneous bursa, and all were surgically treated with an open excision of the whole subcutaneous bursa alone. This was followed by full weight-bearing walking in a shoe with open heel for 6 weeks.ResultsAt follow-up 21 (median, range 12–108) months after surgery, 9/11 patients (12/15 tendons) were satisfied with the result of the operation and 10/11 (13/15 tendons) were back in their previous sport and recreational activities. The median VISA-A score had improved from 41 (range 0–52) to 91 (range 33–100) (p<0.01).ConclusionIn patients with chronic painful insertional Achilles tendinopathy with intra-tendinous bone pathology, tendon and bursa pathology, open removal of the subcutaneous bursa alone can relieve the pain and allow for Achilles tendon loading activities. The results in this case series highlight the need for more studies on the pain mechanisms in insertional Achilles tendinopathy and the need for randomised studies to strengthen the conclusions.Level of evidenceIV Case series.

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The Plantaris Muscle Tendon and Its Relationship with the Achilles Tendinopathy

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2018/9623579 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Ł. Olewnik ◽

G. Wysiadecki ◽

M. Podgórski ◽

M. Polguj ◽

M. Topol

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Anatomical Variation ◽

Achilles Tendinopathy ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Tibialis Posterior ◽

Plantaris Muscle ◽

Clinical Role ◽

Potential Conflict ◽

Calcaneal Tendon ◽

Plantaris Tendon

Purpose. Although the plantaris muscle (PM) is vestigial in humans, it has a significant clinical role in procedures such as grafting. However, recent reports suggest its potential involvement in the tendinopathy of the midportion of the Achilles tendon. The aim of the study is therefore to evaluate morphological variation of the PM with regard to its potential conflict with the Achilles tendon. Material and Methods. Classical anatomical dissection was performed on 130 lower limbs (71 right, 59 left) fixed in 10% formalin solution. The morphology of the PM was assessed regarding the relationship between the course of the plantaris tendon and the calcaneal tendon. Results. The PM was present in 89.2% of cases. The findings indicate the presence of a new type of PM tendon insertion in which the tendon is inserted into the tarsal canal flexor retinaculum, potentially affecting the tendinopathy of the tibialis posterior muscle. In 26 cases (22.4%), insertion blended with the Achilles tendon (Type II), which may increase the risk of Achilles tendinopathy. Conclusion. The anatomical variation of PM tendon morphology may create a potential conflict with the Achilles tendon and the tibialis posterior tendon, thus increasing the possibility of tendinopathy.

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