Morphology of plantaris longus with special reference to its clinical importance

ABSTRACT

Background: Plantaris is small fusiform muscle, with its long, slender tendon. Actually it’s a vestigial muscle inhuman beings hence its rupture does not result in any significant loss of function. Muscle tear associated withbleeding and swelling leads to a posterior compartment syndrome. It can mimic other serious conditions likeDVT, ruptured baker’s cyst and calf neoplasms.The present study aims to find out the various patterns of proximal and distal attachment of plantaris muscle,which will help the clinician deciding in diagnosis and the plastic & orthopaedic surgeons for different types ofreconstructive surgeries.Materials and Methods: Forty-eight limbs from 24 embalmed cadavers of known sex(male) & age (40-75 years)were dissected in the department of anatomy of Lady Harding medical college, New Delhi during 2016-2017.Plantaris muscle identified with its proximal and distal attachment. Length of muscle belly & tendon wererecorded.Result: In the present study out of 48 limbs specimens, Plantaris muscle was absent in 12.5%. Its proximalattachment to lateral supracondylar ridges observed in 29% & with lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle &fibrous capsule in 58.3%. Its distal attachment deep to tendocalcaneus was noted in 25% and superficial totendocalcaneus in 62.4%. Length of muscle belly was 7- 9 cm in 37% and tendon length was 34- 36cm in 37.5%.Conclusion: The Morphological aspects of the attachment of plantaris play a significant role in the Pathologiesassociated with Calf & knee region. Their exact attachment is importance for reconstructive surgeries to therepair of ankle joint injury and flexor tendon replacement in hand.