Accessory posterior leg muscles encountered during surgery for achilles tendon pathology: A case series

Abstract

Accessory muscles in the posterior leg compartment are commonly encountered. Although accessory muscles are usually asymptomatic, they can lead to symptomatology. Accessory muscles were found in three patients who underwent surgery for symptomatic Achilles tendon pathology . Two patients had a flexor digitorum accessorius longus muscle and one had an accessory soleus muscle. Magnetic resonance imaging is a useful resource to assess tendinopathies. If an accessory muscle is present and identified on mangnetic resonance imaging, the surgeon can tailor their surgical plan accordingly.