Surgery of the Achilles tendon and posterior muscle group

Ankle equinus is defined as an inability to dorsiflex the foot at the ankle a minimum of 10 degrees with the knee in full extension. Numerous causes have been presented, and proper evaluation and diagnosis is critical before a surgical procedure can be selected. Gross spastic contractures will be managed differently than the more subtle forms of limitation of ankle dorsiflexion. Lastly, it should be remembered that the desired increase in range of motion will be accompanied by a decrease in strength of the posterior group, which will vary with the procedure and age of the patient.