The Achilles tendon attaches the gastrocnemius, the soleus and plantaris muscles to the calcaneus. It is one of the longest and thickest tendons in the body and is a powerful plantar flexor of the foot and ankle.
The two most common pathologies involving the Achilles tendon are tendinopathy and rupture. Patients with tendinopathy typically describe a gradual onset of pain, while ruptures are associated with an acute event.