Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Gastrocsoleus Lengthening

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Interventional Treatment of Wounds

  • 1051 Accesses

Abstract

The gastrocsoleus complex, also known as the triceps surae, is located in the superficial posterior compartment of the leg. It is comprised of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, which ultimately join to form the Achilles tendon. A gastrocsoleus contracture can result in premature and increased loading of the forefoot, which in turn may contribute to the development of plantar ulceration. It may also inhibit healing of an existing ulcer or lead to recurrence of healed ulcers. Both a gastrocnemius recession (Strayer procedure) and an Achilles lengthening can reduce the mechanical loads exerted on an ulcer. This facilitates healing and also minimizes the chance of recurrent ulceration.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Firth GB, McMullan M, Chin T, Ma F, Selber P, Eizenberg N, Wolfe R, Graham HK. Lengthening of the gastrocnemius-soleus complex: an anatomical and biomechanical study in human cadavers. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2013;95(16):1489–96.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Strayer LM Jr. Recession of the gastrocnemius; an operation to relieve spastic contracture of the calf muscles. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1950;32-A(3):671–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Hoke M. An operation for the correction of extremely relaxed flat feet. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1931;13:773–83.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Holstein P, Lohmann M, Bitsch M, Jørgensen B. Achilles tendon lengthening, the panacea for plantar forefoot ulceration? Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2004;20(S1):S37–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Pinney SJ, Sangeorzan BJ, Hansen ST. Surgical anatomy of the gastrocnemius recession (Strayer procedure). Foot Ankle Int. 2004;25(4):247–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Salamon ML, Pinney SJ, Van Bergeyk A, Hazelwood S. Surgical anatomy and accuracy of percutaneous achilles tendon lengthening. Foot Ankle Int. 2006;27(6):411–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Lavery LA, Davis KE, Berriman SJ, Braun L, Nichols A, Kim PJ, Margolis D, Peters EJ, Attinger C. WHS guidelines update: diabetic foot ulcer treatment guidelines. Wound Repair Regen. 2016;24(1):112–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Tagoe MT, Reeves ND, Bowling FL. Is there still a place for Achilles tendon lengthening? Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2016;32(Suppl 1):227–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Mueller MJ, Sinacore DR, Hastings MK, Strube MJ, Johnson JE. Effect of Achilles tendon lengthening on neuropathic plantar ulcers. A randomized clinical trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85-A(8):1436–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Laborde JM. Neuropathic plantar forefoot ulcers treated with tendon lengthenings. Foot Ankle Int. 2008;29(4):378–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Foot and Ankle Division, Brigham Foot and Ankle Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Christopher P. Chiodo MD

Authors
  1. Christopher P. Chiodo MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christopher P. Chiodo MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Plastic Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Dennis P. Orgill

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Chiodo, C.P. (2018). Gastrocsoleus Lengthening. In: Orgill, D. (eds) Interventional Treatment of Wounds. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66990-8_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66990-8_4

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-66989-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-66990-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation