Calcaneal anastomosis

Rete calcaneum

Definition

Antoine Micheau

The calcaneal anastomosis involves a rich network of arterial supply to the calcaneus, primarily contributed by lateral and medial calcaneal branches, given by the fibular (peroneal artery), posterior tibial artery, and anterior tibial artery.

According to a study by Donders et al., the peroneal artery provides the largest contribution at 52.6%, followed by the posterior tibial artery at 31.6%, and the anterior tibial artery at 15.8%. [1] The vascularization pattern includes both extraosseous and intraosseous components.

References

1.Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of the Relative Arterial Contributions to the Calcaneus.Donders JCE, Klinger CE, Shaffer AD, et al.Foot & Ankle International. 2018;39(5):604-612. doi:10.1177/1071100717749229.

2.The Vascularization of the Os Calcaneum and the Clinical Consequences.Andermahr J, Helling HJ, Rehm KE, Koebke Z.Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 1999;(363):212-8.

3.The Lateral Calcaneal Artery.Andermahr J, Helling HJ, Landwehr P, et al.Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy : SRA. 1998;20(6):419-23. doi:10.1007/BF01653134.

4.Anatomic Study of the Medial Neurovascular Structures in Relation to Calcaneal Osteotomy.Greene DL, Thompson MC, Gesink DS, Graves SC.Foot & Ankle International. 2001;22(7):569-71. doi:10.1177/107110070102200706.

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