Ultrasonographic Assessment of Normal Achilles Tendon Thickness and Width in the Asymptomatic Sudanese Population (original) (raw)
Related papers
Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science, 2012
Background: The degree of physical activity may induce strain and stress on the Achilles tendon because of its role in the elastic mechanics of gait. Material &Methods: The study was carried out to determine the effect of occupation-related physical activity on the thickness of the Achilles tendon. The effect of occupation- related physical activity on the thickness of the Achilles tendon in three phases (ATT at Normal phase, ATT at Dorsiflexed phase and ATT at Plantarflexed phase) was assessed, by ultrasound, among four classes of occupations- Labourers/farmers, Dancers, Athletes and a less active class (control group). Results: Results show that the less active (control group) had the least value for ATT (normal) (3.31±0.50mm) being almost at par with those of the dancers. The athletes and labourers/farmers had significantly higher values than the control (P=0.000 and 0.007 respectively). Conclusion: Our findings have conclusively established that occupation-related prolonged phys...
Ultrasonography in Evaluation of Achilles and Patella Tendon Thickness
Ultraschall in der Medizin - European Journal of Ultrasound, 2008
Zusammenfassung ! Obwohl es eine grundsätzliche Übereinkunft gibt, dass die sonografische Messung der Sehnendicke ein fester Bestandteil der klinischen Untersuchung der Sehnen bei symptomatischen und asymptomatischen Sportlern darstellt, gibt es keinen Konsens hinsichtlich der Frage, wo und wie die Sehnen ausgemessen werden sollten. Ziel: Diese Studie sollte die Achilles-und Patellarsehne sonografisch untersuchen mit dem Ziel, eine Übereinkunft hinsichtlich der Dickenbestimmung dieser Sehnen in zukünftigen Studien herzustellen. Material und Methoden: Die Studie umfasst drei Sub-Studien, die folgende Themen beinhalten: 1. Achilles-und Patellarsehnendicke in Bezug auf die Entfernung vom jeweiligen Sehnenansatz, 2. Längs-versus Querschnitt für die Bestimmung der Sehnendicke durch zweimalige Untersuchung der Sehnen im Längs-und Querschnitt durch denselben Untersucher und 3. Dickenunterschiede bei drei verschiedenen sonografischen Messmethoden, wobei sowohl die sagittale anterior-posteriore (AP) Dicke als auch die "wahre" Dicke (senkrecht zur grçßten Weite) zweimal vom selben Untersucher gemessen wurde. Insgesamt 209 Sehnen wurden untersucht. Ergebnisse: Normale Achillessehnen weisen im 5 cm langen distalen Abschnitt die gleiche Dicke auf. Patellarsehnen sind proximal eher konisch geformt. Abgesehen von pathologisch veränderten Patellarsehnen besteht kein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen Längs-und Querschnitt. Sehnendicke und Variationskoeffizient sind kleiner bei der Messung der wahren Dicke im Vergleich zur AP-Dicke. Schlussfolgerung: Die wahre Sehnedicke ist geringer als die AP-Dicke, da diese von der Drehung der Sehne abhängt. Bei zukünftigen Messungen kçnnte die wahre Sehnendicke sowohl im Längs-Abstract ! Despite the general acknowledgement that measurement of tendon thickness by ultrasonography (US) is an integral part of clinical examination of tendons in both symptomatic and asymptomatic athletes, there is no consensus on where and how the tendons should be measured. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the Achilles and patellar tendons by ultrasonography with the intention of establishing a consensus for measuring the thickness of Achilles and patellar tendons in future studies. Materials and Methods: This study includes three sub-studies, evaluating: 1. Achilles and patellar tendon thickness in relation to the distance from the attachment at the calcaneus or patella, 2. longitudinal versus transversal US scan for measurement of the tendon thickness by examining the tendons in both longitudinal and transversal scan planes twice by the same observer, and 3. differences in tendon thickness using three different US measurement methods, when measuring both the sagittal AP thickness and the "true" thickness (measured perpendicular to the greatest width) twice by the same observer. A total of 209 tendons were included. Results: Normal Achilles tendons have the same thickness in the distal 5 cm-long section. Patellar tendons are more cone-shaped proximally. There is no significant difference between the longitudinal and transversal scan except when applied on abnormal patellar tendons. The tendon thickness and coefficient of variation is smaller when measuring the true thickness compared to the AP thickness. Conclusion: The true tendon thickness is less than the AP thickness, because the AP-thickness is dependent upon the rotation of the tendon. Moreover, the true thickness is a more precise measurement. In future measurements, the true thickness of tendons could be measured in either Fredberg U et al. Ultrasonography in Evaluation… Ultraschall in Med 2008; 29: 60 -65
Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 2012
Context:Achilles tendon rupture is often the result of a long-term degenerative process, frequently occurring asymptomatically.Objective:To determine the prevalence of asymptomatic Achilles tendinopathy in an active, asymptomatic, young-adult population and to compare these findings across gender.Design:Convenience sample, cohort study.Setting:Research laboratoryParticipants:A sample of 52 (28 male, 24 female) healthy, active subjects were recruited from the student body at the University of Connecticut. Images of 104 Achilles tendons were made.Intervention:Ultrasound images made with a Phillips HD11 with a 15-MHz real-time linear-array transducer were collected on both the longitudinal and transverse axes of the Achilles tendon. Activity level was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF).Main Outcome Measure:Presence of ultrasound evidence of Achilles tendinopathy as agreed on by 2 blinded assessors highly skilled in ultrasonography.Resul...
Validation of a novel ultrasound measurement of achilles tendon length
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, 2014
Repeated US measurements were performed and compared to MRI measurements. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability and the agreement between MRI and US were determined. Data were evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the standard error of the measurement (SeM) and the minimal detectable change (MDC). Results Intra-rater reliability of US assessment showed no significant differences between test days: ICC 0.96, SeM 4 mm and MDC 10 mm. Inter-rater reliability showed a systematic difference between US observers of 2-5 mm (p = 0.001-0.036); ICC 0.97, SeM 3 mm and MDC 9 mm. MRI measurements were on average 4 mm longer than US (p = 0.001). Conclusion The novel ultrasound measurement showed good reliability and accuracy. For comparison between groups of non-injured subjects differences of more than 4 mm can be detected. For repeated assessment of individual subjects differences of more than 10 mm can be detected. The measurement needs to be further assessed in the setting of acute Achilles tendon rupture. Clinical relevance This new ultrasound measurement might allow for length measurement of ruptured Achilles tendons in the acute and chronic state after rupture. Level of evidence II.
Sports
There is a need for clinical indicators that can be used to guide the treatment of Achilles tendon complaints in recreational runners. Diagnostic ultrasound has recently been introduced for clinical decision support in tendon pain management. The aim of this study was to determine whether tendon thickness and morphological changes in the Achilles tendon detected in ultrasound examinations are associated with local symptoms in middle-age recreational long-distance runners. Forty-two Achilles tendons (21 middle-aged runners) were investigated by ultrasound examination measuring tendon thickness and a morphology score indicating tendinosis. The Generalized Estimating Equations method was applied in multiple models of factors associated with reporting a symptomatic tendon. Eleven symptomatic and 31 asymptomatic Achilles tendons were recorded. In the multiple model that used tendon thickness measured 30 mm proximal to the distal insertion, an association was found between thickness and r...
The Role of Ultrasound Assessment in Achilles Tendon Pathology
The Medical Journal of Cairo University
Background: Tendons are connective tissues that transmit the force produced by muscle to bone and also prevent muscle damage by acting as shock absorbers. The Achilles tendon is the single largest, thickest and strongest tendon in the human body that transmit the force of powerful calf muscles to foot facilitating walking and running. This has long been known as a site susceptible to disabling injury. Forces up to 12 times bodyweight may arise during sporting activity. US performed with high-resolution linear-array probes has become increasingly important in the assessment of ligaments and tendons around the ankle because it is low cost, fast, readily available, and free of ionizing radiation. Aim of the Work: To provide an overview of clinical applications of ultrasound in assessment of pathological Achilles tendons. And to demonstrate the role of ultrasound in diagnosis of Achilles tendon pathology after clinical diagnosis. Patients and Methods: This study is a prospective study, it was conducted in Radiology Department at Ain-Shams University Hospitals (El-Demerdash) from September 2018 till March 2019. It included 20 patients who were referred from the orthopedics, sports medicine and physical medicine outpatients. Results: In our study US was capable of detecting almost all Achilles tendon abnormalities with high accuracy. The main noticeable limitation was the assessment of the bone marrow. In our study, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for US for Achilles tendon were 100%, 75% and 95% respectively. Both US and MRI are used in the evaluation of superficial structures, such as tendons and ligaments. The choice between US and MRI in such evaluations is determined by availability, referring physician preference, and the experience of the radiologist because in many settings accuracies can be similar. Conclusion: Ultrasonography is an accurate and sensitive modality in evaluation of the Achilles tendon, it and can be used either as primary tool of investigation or as complementary tool with MRI and even in some cases may be used as a final method of diagnosis without need for further correlation with any other imaging techniques.
Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 2018
Ultrasound measurements of Achilles tendon size are used to assess the tendon's response to exercise, aging, rehabilitation, tendon loading and healing. It is important to understand and minimise the measurement error that occurs with these measurements. This review identified and synthesised studies reporting on intraand inter-rater reliability of ultrasound measurements of Achilles tendon size. Analysis of 21 studies revealed that good to excellent intra-and inter-rater reliability can be achieved for ultrasound measurements of Achilles tendon size. Reliability can be optimised by using one experienced operator, standardising transducer pressure and orientation and averaging two or three measurements. There was a high risk of methodological bias across the included studies. Reporting of reliability studies needs to be improved by the use of existing reporting guidelines and expansion of these guidelines to include important elements of ultrasound imaging.
11 Validity and reliability of an ultrasound measurement of the free length of the achilles tendon
Abstracts, 2018
INTRODUCTION: Valid length measurements of the different segments of the Achilles tendon are needed in order to investigate if differential elongation of the Achilles tendon takes place after rupture. The purpose of this paper was to present data concerning the accuracy and reliability of an ultrasound measurement of the free part of the Achilles tendon. METHODS: Both legs of 19 non-injured subjects were examined by magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) and ultrasound. The length from the distal tip of the soleus muscle to the tendon insertion on the calcaneus was measured by three independent ultrasound examiners. Repeated ultrasound measurements were performed and compared with MRI measurements. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability and the agreement between MRI and ultrasound were determined. Data were evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the standard error of the measurement (SEM) and the minimal detectable change (MDC). RESULTS: The measurement showed excellent intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.94 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91-0.96), SEM = 5 mm and MDC = 13 mm) and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.96 (95% CI: 0.93-0.97), SEM = 4 mm and MDC = 11 mm). On average, ultrasound measurements exceeded the MRI measurements by 2 mm (non-significant); resulting in a measurement error of 5%. CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasound measurement of the free part of the Achilles tendon showed good reliability and accuracy. For comparison between groups of non-injured subjects, differences of > 5 mm can be detected. For repeated assessment of individual subject differences ≥ 13 mm can be detected. FUNDING: none.
Sensors, 2022
The assessment of the force–length relationship under mechanical loading is widely used to evaluate the mechanical properties of tendons and to gain information about their adaptation, function, and injury. This study aimed to provide a time-efficient ultrasound method for assessing Achilles tendon mechanical properties. On two days, eleven healthy young non-active adults performed eight maximal voluntary isometric ankle plantarflexion contractions on a dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasonographic recording. Maximal tendon elongation was assessed by digitizing ultrasound images at rest and at maximal tendon force. Achilles tendon stiffness index was calculated from the ratio of tendon force-to-strain. No within- and between-day differences were detected between the proposed method and manual frame by frame tracking in Achilles tendon maximal force, maximal elongation, maximal strain, and stiffness index. The overall coefficient of variation between trials ranged from 3.4% to 10.3%...
Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte, 2020
Introduction: This study aimed to measure thickness and cross-sectional area of the Achilles tendon (AT), and the range of motion of the ankle joint in dorsiflexion of amateur marathon runners compared to non-active people. Objectives: To analyze the relationship between cross-sectional area and thickness of the Achilles tendon in marathon runners and age, anthropometric characteristics (height and body mass), training habits, running experience, marathon performance, and range of motion in the ankle joint. Methods: Achilles tendon thickness and cross-sectional area were measured using ultrasound images of the left leg in 97 male amateur marathon runners (age 42.0 ± 9.6 years; height 175 ± 6 cm; and body mass 73.7 ± 8.6 kg), and 47 controls (39.9 ± 11.6 years; 176 ± 7 cm; 79.6 ± 16.1 kg). Results: Achilles tendon thickness (4.81 ± 0.77 vs. 4.60 ± 0.66 mm; p = 0.01) and cross-sectional area (60.41 ± 14.36 vs. 53.62 ± 9.90 mm2; p < 0.01) were greater in the marathon runners than in...