Muscle-tendon morphomechanical properties of non-surgically treated Achilles tendon 1-year post-rupture
Khair, R. M., Stenroth, L., Cronin, N. J., Reito, A., Paloneva, J., & Finni, T. (2022). Muscle-tendon morphomechanical properties of non-surgically treated Achilles tendon 1-year post-rupture. Clinical Biomechanics, 92, Article 105568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2021.105568
Published in
Clinical BiomechanicsAuthors
Date
2022Copyright
© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Background
Achilles tendon rupture appears to alter stiffness and length of the tendon. These alterations may affect the function of tendon in force transmission and in energy storage and recovery. We studied the mechanical properties of the Achilles' tendon post-rupture and their association with function.
Methods
Twenty-four (20 males, 4 females) participants (mean age: 43 y, 176 cm, 81 kg) were recruited. Ultrasonography and dynamometry were used to assess the muscle-tendon unit morphological and mechanical properties of non-surgically treated patients 1-year post rupture.
Findings
Injured tendons were longer with difference of 1.8 cm (95%CI: 0.5–1.9 cm; P < 0.001), and thicker by 0.2 mm (0.2–0.3 mm; P < 0.01). Medial gastrocnemius cross-sectional area was 1.0 cm2 smaller (0.8–1.1 cm2; P < 0.001), fascicles were 0.6 cm shorter (0.5–0.7 cm; P < 0.001) and pennation angle was 2.5° higher (1.3–3.6°; P < 0.001) when compared to the uninjured limb. We found no differences between injured and uninjured tendon stiffness 1-year post-rupture (mean difference: 29.8 N/mm, −7.7–67.3 N/mm; P = 0.170). The injured tendon showed 1.8 mm (1.2–2.4 mm; P < 0.01) lower elongation during maximal voluntary isometric contractions. Patient-reported functional outcome was related to the tendon resting length (β = 0.68, r(10) = 4.079, P = 0.002). Inter-limb differences in the medial gastrocnemius fascicle length were related to inter-limb differences in maximum contractions (β = 1.17, r(14) = 2.808, P = 0.014).
Interpretation
Longer Achilles tendon resting length was associated with poorer self-evaluated functional outcome. Although the stiffness of non-surgically treated and uninjured tendons was similar 1-year post rupture, plantar flexion strength deficit was still present, possibly due to shorter medial gastrocnemius fascicle length.
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Publisher
Elsevier BVISSN Search the Publication Forum
0268-0033Keywords
Publication in research information system
https://converis.jyu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/104034048
Metadata
Show full item recordCollections
- Liikuntatieteiden tiedekunta [2079]
Related funder(s)
Academy of FinlandFunding program(s)
Academy Project, AoF
Additional information about funding
This work was funded by the Academy of Finland grant #323168, UNderstanding REStoration of Achilles Tendon function after rupture (UNRESAT).License
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