Glossary term
Achilles tendon
The large tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone.
Updated 2026-03-011 alias3 sourcesUsed across articles and safety pages
Definition
The large tendon connecting the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) to the calcaneus (heel bone). During tibial lengthening, progressive stretching of the Achilles tendon is a primary concern, as insufficient flexibility leads to equinus contracture.
Aliases
calcaneal tendon
Updated 2026-03-01
Sources
- Paley D. Problems, obstacles, and complications of limb lengthening by the Ilizarov technique. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1990;(250):81–104.other_publicAccessed 2026-02-24
- Marwan Y, Cohen D, Alotaibi M, Addar A, Bernstein M, Hamdy R. Cosmetic stature lengthening: systematic review of outcomes and complications. Bone Joint Res. 2020;9(7):341–350.other_publicAccessed 2026-02-24
- Giorgino R, Cornacchini J, Sillmann YM, et al. Aesthetic lower limb lengthening techniques: a systematic review of efficacy, complications, and patient satisfaction. J Orthop Surg Res. 2025;20(1):415.other_publicAccessed 2026-02-24
Informational only. Not medical advice.