What is a gastrocnemius contracture?
What is a gastrocnemius contracture?
Gastrocnemius contracture results in the inability to bring the ankle joint past a neutral position (right angle to the lower leg) with the knee straight. Rather than “walk on their toes” most people naturally and unconsciously “compensate” by having more motion through the joints in front of the ankle.
Where is the gastrocnemius muscle located?
calf muscle
Gastrocnemius: This muscle is just under your skin at the back of the lower leg. Because the gastrocnemius is close to the skin’s surface, you can often see its outline. It forms the bulk of your calf muscle.
What causes gastrocnemius contracture?
Two main causes of gastrocnemius contracture have been considered: 1) congenital deformities in pediatric patients, such as limb-length discrepancy, cerebral palsy, flatfoot, and clubfoot; and 2) secondary conditions such as immobilization for trauma or a nonfunctional limb.
What type of contraction is the gastrocnemius?
isometric contraction
Kawakami et al., reported that the gastrocnemius performs the isometric contraction during dorsiflexion of the ankle, and a large proportion of the power originates from elastic energy when the tendon is extended10). The fascicles maintain a near-constant length when the muscle is active.
What is an ankle contracture?
Equinus contracture is a condition in which the upward bending motion of the ankle joint is limited, lacking the flexibility to lift the top of the foot. This happens due to either tightness of the muscles and/or tendons in the calf. This condition can occur in one or both feet.
How do you stretch your gastrocnemius?
Gastrocnemius Stretch (Flexibility)
- Stand facing a wall from 3 feet away. Take one step toward the wall with your right foot.
- Place both palms on the wall. Bend your right knee.
- Lean forward, keeping the left leg straight and the left heel on the floor.
- Hold for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Switch legs and repeat.
Where is the origin of gastrocnemius?
femur
gastrocnemius muscle, also called leg triceps, large posterior muscle of the calf of the leg. It originates at the back of the femur (thighbone) and patella (kneecap) and, joining the soleus (another muscle of the calf), is attached to the Achilles tendon at the heel.
Where is the latissimus dorsi located?
The latissimus dorsi muscles are the largest muscles on the back. These two triangle-shaped muscles are found just below the shoulder blade on each side, extend along the spine, down to the pelvis, and across the width of the back.
What is the insertion of the gastrocnemius?
Gastrocnemius muscle
| Origin | Lateral head: Posterolateral aspect of lateral condyle of the femur Medial head: Posterior surface of medial femoral condyle, popliteal surface of femoral shaft |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Posterior surface of the calcaneus via the calcaneal tendon |
| Innervation | Tibial nerve (S1, S2) |
What causes ankle contracture?
The most common causes of contracture are inactivity and scarring from an injury or burn. People who have other conditions that keep them from moving around are also at higher risk for contracture deformity. For example, people with severe osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often develop contractures.
What muscle is under the gastrocnemius?
The other major calf muscle, the soleus muscle, is a flat muscle that lies underneath the gastrocnemius. Both the gastrocnemius and the soleus run the entire length of the lower leg, connecting behind the knee and at the heel.
What is the clinical significance of gastrocnemius strain?
Clinical significance. The gastrocnemius muscle is prone to spasms, which are painful, involuntary contractions of the muscle that may last several minutes. A severe ankle dorsiflexion force may result in an injury of the muscle, commonly referred to as a “torn” or “strained” calf muscle, which is acutely painful and disabling.
Where does the gastrocnemius attach to the Achilles tendon?
In the lower leg, the muscle fibres of gastrocnemius gradually form a broad aponeurosis. The aponeurosis gradually narrows, and fuses with the fibres of another deeper muscle, the soleus, to form a large tendon called the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon. The calcaneal tendon attaches to the posterior surface of the calcaneus in the foot.
What is the origin of gastrocnemius and soleus?
The origin of the gastrocnemius and soleus are anatomically distinct arising from above and below the knee respectively. This allows the examiner to isolate the activation of the muscles by varying the degree of knee flexion.
