Calf Muscle Tightness: Calf Muscle Release

Calf Muscle Tightness: Calf Muscle Release

This surgical video demonstrates a calf muscle release for the treatment of calf muscle tightness. The 2 calf muscles, the gastrocnemius and soleus, connect to the Achilles tendon to attach to the heel bone. In this procedure, only the part of the tendon that connects to the gastrocnemius muscle will be cut, while the part that connects to the soleus muscle will be left untouched.

This procedure will be performed endoscopically with small incisions and a tiny camera. Here, we see the inner side of a right leg. The surgeon has already marked out the location of the calf muscles and the beginning of the Achilles tendon. The ankle is positioned in dorsiflexion, or pointed upward, to stretch the calf muscles.

The surgeon begins by making a small incision on the inner side of the calf and using a surgical clamp to separate soft tissue away from the top of the Achilles tendon. A plastic tube called a cannula is inserted between the skin and Achilles tendon. This cannula has an open slot on 1 side.

The surgeon makes another small incision on the outer side of the calf and pushes the cannula through the incision. The central portion of the cannula is removed and the inside is cleaned out.