Dr. Amol Saxena, DPM
Palo Alto Foundation
Medical Group
Dept. of Sports Medicine
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795 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA 94301
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The Incidence of the Plantaris Tendon - Magnetic Resonance, Surgical and Cadaver Findings
Published in: Foot & Ankle International, July 2000
Amol Saxena, DPM, FACFAS, FAAPSM
Department of Sports Medicine
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
795 El Camino Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Daniel Bareither, Ph.D.
Eric Jamrok, DPM 11/30/99
The Incidence of the Plantaris Tendon – Magnetic Resonance, Surgical and Cadaver Findings
Abstract
A retrospective review of 63 Magnetic Resonance Image studies (86 ankles) was conducted to find the incidence of the plantaris tendon. Radiographically, the plantaris tendon was visualized 62.8% of the time. Confirmation of the presence of this tendon during 18 surgical procedures on the achilles tendon yielded 13 "true positives" and 4 "true negatives". Sensitivity was 92.8%; specificity and positive predictive value was 100%, respectively. Forty cadaveric specimens were evaluated by dissection, with the incidence of the plantaris found to be 97.5%. These findings may be useful when considering MRIs as a screening tool for the presence of plantaris tendon. When axial images were 4 mm or less, the plantaris tendon was more easily visualized. A Chi-squared test examining for differences of axial sections greater than 4 mm was not significant. (P=0.2). This is important if one is to use MRI to screen for the plantaris tendon (for graft purposes).
Key words: Achilles Tendon, Plantaris Tendon, Autologous graft.
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