Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is wide racial difference in the prevalence of the absence of the plantaris tendon. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of plantaris tendon in Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The presence of the plantaris tendon was determined by ultrasound in 250 healthy volunteers using the standard technique. RESULTS: Out of 250 individuals 28 (11.2%) had absence of plantaris tendon either unilaterally or bilaterally. Unilateral absence of plantaris tendon was in 3.2%, bilateral absence in 4.8% and overall absence was in 8%. According to the hand and foot dominance the probability of finding right plantaris tendon in right dominant person was 92.3% and in left dominant is 89.7%. Height of the person also correlated significantly with tendon length. CONCLUSIONS: Plantaris tendon was absent in ∼11%, either unilaterally or bilaterally, in this cohort of Indian population.