A novel application of strain sonoelastography can detect changes in Achilles tendon elasticity during isometric contractions of increasing intensity

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research

Filippo Del Grande¹  Deborah Falla²  Ron Clijsen³  Corrado Cescon⁴  Marco Barbero⁴  Alessandro Schneebeli⁵ 

[1] 0000 0004 0514 7845, grid.469433.f, Servizio di Radiologia, Ospedale Civico e Italiano, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Lugano, Switzerland;0000 0004 1936 7486, grid.6572.6, Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK;0000000123252233, grid.16058.3a, Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, SUPSI, Landquart, Switzerland;University College Physiotherapy, Thim van der Laan AG, Landquart, Switzerland;0000 0001 2290 8069, grid.8767.e, Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium;0000000123252233, grid.16058.3a, Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, SUPSI, Stabile Piazzetta, Via Violino, 6928, Manno, Switzerland;0000000123252233, grid.16058.3a, Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, SUPSI, Stabile Piazzetta, Via Violino, 6928, Manno, Switzerland;0000 0004 1936 7486, grid.6572.6, Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK;

关键词: Strain sonoelastography;    Achilles tendon;    Elasticity;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13047-019-0342-1

来源: publisher

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundMechanical 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.MethodsThis 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.ResultsThe 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 (p < 0.05) in the strain ratio between all contractions except between 0.5 kg – 1 kg (p = 0.41); 1 kg – 2 kg (p = 0.12) and 5 kg – 10 kg (p = 0.12).ConclusionStrain 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 registrationThe study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Canton Ticino.

【 授权许可】

CC BY