Premium
Sonographically Guided Plantaris Tendon Release: A Cadaveric Validation Study
Author(s) -
Smith Jay,
Alfredson Håkan,
Masci Lorenzo,
Sellon Jacob L.,
Woods Charonn D.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
pmandr
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.617
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1934-1563
pISSN - 1934-1482
DOI - 10.1016/j.pmrj.2018.05.024
Subject(s) - medicine , neurovascular bundle , cadaveric spasm , achilles tendon , dissection (medical) , tendon , surgery , ankle , coronal plane , cadaver , nuclear medicine , radiology
Abstract Background The plantaris tendon (PT) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of symptoms in a subset of patients with Achilles region pain syndromes and traditionally has been managed via open surgical resection. Although the PT can be visualized on ultrasound, a minimally invasive technique for sonographically guided PT release has not been formally described. Objective To validate a technique to perform sonographically guided PT release in an unembalmed cadaveric model. Design Prospective, cadaveric laboratory investigation. Setting Procedural skills laboratory in a tertiary medical center. Subjects Twenty unembalmed cadaveric knee–ankle–foot specimens (10 right, 10 left) obtained from 16 donors (6 male, 10 female) ages 55‐96 years (mean 82.6 years) with body mass indexes of 14.1‐33.2 kg/m 2 (mean 23.3 kg/m 2 ). Methods After simulated local anesthesia and sonographically guided hydrodissection of the plantaris tendon–Achilles tendon interval, a single experienced operator performed sonographically guided PT release on each specimen using an in‐plane, lateral‐to‐medial approach, a commercially available, disposable 3.0‐mm hook knife, and either a 17‐5 MHz or 15‐7 MHz linear array transducer. Each specimen was subsequently dissected to assess for PT release and iatrogenic injury. Main Outcome Status of the PT, Achilles tendon, and regional neurovascular structures as determined by dissection. Results All 20 PT releases were completed in a single attempt through a 3‐ to 5‐mm incision. Dissection confirmed complete PT release in all specimens without damage to the adjacent Achilles tendon or regional neurovascular structures. Conclusion Sonographically guided PT release is technically feasible and can be performed while avoiding injury to the Achilles tendon and regional neurovascular structures. Additional research is warranted to further define the role of sonographically guided PT release in patients with suspected PT‐mediated Achilles region pain syndromes. Level of Evidence IV