Background: Mechanical and morphological properties of the Achilles tendon are altered in disease and in response to changes in mechanical loading. In the last few years different ultrasound based technologies have been used to detect tendon mechanical properties changes mainly in resting condition. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate if strain sonoelastography can identify changes in Achilles tendon elasticity during isometric contractions of increasing intensity.
Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 37 healthy volunteers (19 women) with mean (±SD) age of 27.1 (±7.0) years between January and June 2017. Strain sonoelastography images of the Achilles tendon were acquired during an isometric ramp force (0 kg, 0.5 kg, 1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg and, 10 kg). An external reference material was used to provide a comparison between the examined tissue and a material of constant elasticity. Friedman test with post hoc pairwise comparison were used to determine the correlation between the difference contraction levels.
Results: The median and interquartile range (IQR) values for the strain ratio were 1.61 (1.5-2.9) in a relaxed state and 1.30 (1.07-2.02), 1.00 (0.76-1.66), 0.81 (0.70-1.19), 0.47 (0.39-0.73) and 0.33 (0.28-0.40) for 0.5 kg, 1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg and 10 kg, respectively revealing increased tendon hardness with increasing contraction intensities. Friedman test revealed significant differences ( < 0.05) in the strain ratio between all contractions except between 0.5 kg - 1 kg ( = 0.41); 1 kg - 2 kg ( = 0.12) and 5 kg - 10 kg (p = 0.12).
Conclusion: Strain sonoelastography can detect changes in Achilles tendon elasticity between different contraction intensities. The results provide an original force-elasticity curve for the Achilles tendon in a healthy, asymptomatic population.
Trial Registration: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Canton Ticino.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6528184 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13047-019-0342-1 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Achilles tendon morphology adaptations in chronic post-stroke hemiparesis: a comparative analysis with neurologically intact controls.
Front Sports Act Living
January 2025
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States.
Introduction: In individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis, slow walking speed is a significant concern related to inadequate propulsion of the paretic limb. However, an overlooked factor is this population's altered morphology of the Achilles tendon, which may compromise the propulsive forces by the paretic limb. This study aimed to explore changes in Achilles tendon morphology, including gross thickness and intra-tendinous collagen fiber bundle organization, following stroke-induced brain lesions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuromuscular factors predicting lower limb explosive strength in male college sprinters.
Front Physiol
January 2025
Sports Science School, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China.
Purpose: This study aimed to explore the effects of neural and muscular factors on lower limb explosive strength in male college sprinters, and build models based on those factors to identify the key neuromuscular factors that predict the rate of force development (RFD) and 30 m sprint time.
Method: 15 male college sprinters were recruited in this study, with 100 m personal best times under 10.93 s.
Non-linear interactions of lower limb clinical measures associated with asymptomatic Achilles tendon pathology in ballet dancers.
J Athl Train
January 2025
Federal University of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. Department of Physiotherapy.
Context: Tendon abnormalities on imaging are commonly observed in individuals with Achilles tendinopathy. Those abnormalities can also be present in asymptomatic individuals, which is an important risk factor for developing tendon symptoms. Ballet dancers are particularly vulnerable due to the high loads placed on their Achilles tendons.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClinical Outcome of Achilles Tendon Rupture Repaired by a Modified Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Suturing.
Orthop Res Rev
January 2025
Department of Orthopedics, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
Purpose: Minimally invasive percutaneous techniques offer a promising alternative to open surgical repair of the Achilles tendon. However, the possibilities of recurrent rupture and nerve complications remain. Hence, the present study was conducted to describe a modified repair technique for the Achilles tendon able to overcome these limitations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOutcomes of operative and nonoperative management of myotendinous Achilles tendon ruptures: a systematic review.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord
January 2025
Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery , University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Background: Achilles tendon ruptures are the most common lower extremity tendinous rupture. While there has been extensive research into the management of mid-substance Achilles tendon ruptures, there is a paucity of literature on the management of myotendinous Achilles tendon ruptures.
Methods: The aim of this systematic review is to compile all available literature on the treatment of myotendinous Achilles tendon tears.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!