Impaired mechanical properties of Achilles tendon in spastic stroke survivors: an observational study.

Background: The spasticity could lead to decreased functional capacity and changes in musculoskeletal tissue.

Objective: To compare the Achilles tendon properties between the affected and contralateral limbs of participants with spasticity due to stroke and the healthy subjects.

Methods: Fifteen individuals with ankle spasticity due to stroke and 15 healthy subjects were recruited.

Achilles tendon morphology, plantar flexors torque and passive ankle stiffness in spastic hemiparetic stroke survivors.

Background: The present study compared the Achilles tendon morphological characteristics, plantar flexor toque and passive ankle stiffness between hemiparetic spastic stroke survivors and healthy subjects.

Methods: The Achilles tendon length was measured at the affected and contralateral limbs of twelve hemiparetic stroke survivors with ankle spasticity and twelve healthy subjects. The ankle was held at three different angles (20° plantar flexion, 0° and maximum dorsiflexion) while an ultrasound system was used to capture images from the Achilles tendon.