The pertinent literature widely describes ultrasound-guided procedures targeting the retrocalcaneal bursa and the tendon tissue to manage insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Synovial bursae and cutaneous nerves of the superficial retrocalcaneal pad are often overlooked pain generators and are poorly considered by clinicians and surgeons. A layer-by-layer dissection of the superficial soft tissues in the retrocalcaneal region of two fresh frozen cadavers was matched with historical anatomical tables of the textbook Traite d'Anatomie Topographique Avec Applications Médico-Chirurgicales (1909 by Testut and Jacob). An accurate and detailed description of the superficial retrocalcaneal pad with its synovial bursae and cutaneous nerves was provided. Cadaveric dissections confirmed the compartmentalized architecture of the superficial retrocalcaneal fat pad and its histological continuum with the superficial lamina of the crural fascia. Superficial synovial tissue islands have been demonstrated on the posterior aspect of the Achilles tendon in one cadaver and on the posterolateral surface of the tendon in the other one. Digitalization of the original anatomical tables of the textbook Traite d'Anatomie Topographique Avec Applications Médico-Chirurgicales (1909 by Testut and Jacob) showed five potential locations of the superficial calcaneal bursa and a superficial retrocalcaneal nerve plexus within the Achilles tendon-fat pad interface. In clinical practice, in addition to the previously described interventions regarding the retrocalcaneal bursa and the tendon tissue, ultrasound-guided procedures targeting the synovial and neural tissues of the superficial retrocalcaneal pad should be considered to optimize the management of insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Hacettepe University Medical School Ankara Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Community and Geriatric Research Center National Taiwan University Hospital Bei Hu Branch Taipei Taiwan

Institute of Anatomy 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague Czech Republic

Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Unit Luigi Sacco University Hospital ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco Milan Italy

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