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Morphometric profile of tendocalcaneus of South Africans of European ancestry using a cadaveric approach
, 2, 1
Affiliations- School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, 2193 Johannesburg, South Africa
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar, Doha, Qatar
open access
Abstract
Background: Tendocalcaneus is a strong tendon that is vital for bipedalism in humans. Despite its tremendous strength, the tendocalcaneus is prone to damage and degeneration causing mobility problems and pain. Morphometric dimension of the tendocalcaneus is of benefit to the surgical repair and reconstruction of the damaged tendon. Cadaveric approach provides a realistic method for determining tendocalcaneus morphometry and as at present only two cadaveric studies on Indian population is available. Thus this study presents data on tendocalcaneus morphometry in South Africans of European ancestry using a cadaveric approach.
Materials and methods: A total of 66 lower limbs (32 left and 34 right legs) sourced from 49 male and female cadavers were used. After careful dissection of the posterior aspect of leg, the medial and lateral length, distal width, distal circumference and proximal width of the tendocalcaneus were measured.
Results: The data showed a high degree of reproducibility indicating that the measurements obtained using cadaveric approach were precise and accurate. There was no difference in measurements between the sides. Measurements in the males were generally higher than in the females. Strong associations were observed between the paired measurements of the medial and lateral tendon length and between the distal width and distal circumference.
Conclusions: The data obtained will be useful in predicting tendocalcaneus size during the surgical reconstruction of the tendocalcaneus.
Abstract
Background: Tendocalcaneus is a strong tendon that is vital for bipedalism in humans. Despite its tremendous strength, the tendocalcaneus is prone to damage and degeneration causing mobility problems and pain. Morphometric dimension of the tendocalcaneus is of benefit to the surgical repair and reconstruction of the damaged tendon. Cadaveric approach provides a realistic method for determining tendocalcaneus morphometry and as at present only two cadaveric studies on Indian population is available. Thus this study presents data on tendocalcaneus morphometry in South Africans of European ancestry using a cadaveric approach.
Materials and methods: A total of 66 lower limbs (32 left and 34 right legs) sourced from 49 male and female cadavers were used. After careful dissection of the posterior aspect of leg, the medial and lateral length, distal width, distal circumference and proximal width of the tendocalcaneus were measured.
Results: The data showed a high degree of reproducibility indicating that the measurements obtained using cadaveric approach were precise and accurate. There was no difference in measurements between the sides. Measurements in the males were generally higher than in the females. Strong associations were observed between the paired measurements of the medial and lateral tendon length and between the distal width and distal circumference.
Conclusions: The data obtained will be useful in predicting tendocalcaneus size during the surgical reconstruction of the tendocalcaneus.
Keywords
cadavers, European ancestry, Achilles morphometry, tendon, South African
About this articleTitle
Morphometric profile of tendocalcaneus of South Africans of European ancestry using a cadaveric approach
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
196-203
Published online
2020-03-03
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1129
Article views/downloads
1137
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2021;80(1):196-203.
Keywords
cadavers
European ancestry
Achilles morphometry
tendon
South African
Authors
S. Latiff
M. A. Bidmos
O. I. Olateju
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