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The Achilles Tendon

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The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body, but also happens to be the most frequently torn tendon (Reiman et al., 2014). It originates from the soleus muscle extending over to the two heads of the gastrocnemius and is inserted into the calcaneus. (Benjamin, Suzuki, & Toumi,2009, p.5). Occasionally it has been noted that in 2.9 – 5.5% of people, there is a third head of the gastrocnemius. (Benjamin, Suzuki, & Toumi, 2009, p.7). It is also the strongest and thickest tendon in the body. As the tendon reaches the calcaneus, it allows for elongation (which is the amount of extension that the tendon is able to undergo when it’s under stress). Furthermore, the elongation allows for a release of energy during movement. Moreover, the Achilles tendon bends the knee and plantar flexes the toes. Because the Achilles tendon connects to the leg muscles, it gives the ability to push off when one is …show more content…

It has an effect on blood vessels, whose role is to carry blood. The Achilles tendon has a very vascularized structure, which limits the blood supply of several different arteries, one of them being the posterior tibial artery. Because of the tendons limited blood supply, it makes it more susceptible to injury. The tendon receives blood from three several different sources: the muscle-tendon junction, the bone tendon junction and by the length of the tendon. (Hua & Li, 2016, p.2). As was mentioned earlier, the Achilles tendon has a very vascularized structure, the area that is 2 to 6 centimeters is the least vascularized area, because of this the ability to repair itself during times of stress is very limited. Although blood supply can also be derived from muscle bellies where the bone is distally from the tendon and inserts into the calcaneus (Sagllmbenl, 2016). As one progresses with age, the blood supply slowly begins to diminish, which leads the tendon to inflammation and quite possibly

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