scholarly journals The Free Achilles Tendon Is Shorter, Stiffer, Has Larger Cross-Sectional Area and Longer T2* Relaxation Time in Trained Middle-Distance Runners Compared to Healthy Controls

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Devaprakash ◽  
Steven J. Obst ◽  
David G. Lloyd ◽  
Rod S. Barrett ◽  
Ben Kennedy ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 94 (1121) ◽  
pp. 20200173
Author(s):  
Shamrendra Narayan ◽  
Amit Goel ◽  
Ajai Kumar Singh ◽  
Anup Kumar Thacker ◽  
Neha Singh ◽  
...  

Objectives: The aim of this observational study was ultrasound evaluation of peripheral nerves cross-sectional area (CSA) in subjects with probable diabetic peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy (DPN). CSA was analyzed with reference to clinical and nerve conduction study’s (NCS) parameters for early diagnosis and pattern of involvement. Methods: A total of 50 patients with probable DPN due to Type 2 diabetes and 50 age-matched healthy controls underwent sonographic examinations of ulnar nerve at the lower arm, median nerve proximal to carpal tunnel, the common peroneal nerve proximal to fibular head, tibial nerve proximal to the tarsal tunnel, and sural nerve at lower third leg. Results: CSA was increased in cases of DPN as compared to healthy controls. Area changes were more marked with demyelinating pattern. Probable DPN cases with normal NCS had significantly higher number of peripheral nerves showing increased CSA as compared to healthy control. A cut-off of >4 nerve thickening showed a sensitivity of 86 %, and specificity of 56%. The neuropathy pattern in the lower limb was axonal, whereas in the upper limb, it was demyelinating with the majority showing sonographic feature of associated compressive neuropathy. Conclusion: There is an increase in CSA of peripheral nerve in diabetic patients. It can be used as a morphological marker for classifying DPN with changes being picked up earlier to NCS abnormality. Clinical neurological presentation in probable DPN can also be due to compressive neuropathy in early phases, and ultrasound can be a useful tool. Advances in knowledge: Early pick up of DPN cases shall be useful for early therapy and motivating the patients to actively participate in the treatment. Morphological changes on ultrasonography precedes the electrodiagnostic change in DPN. Symptoms of DPN is not only due to metabolic changes but also compressive neuropathy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianru Li ◽  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Yehua Cai ◽  
Yinghui Hua

Purpose. To evaluate differences of Achilles tendon (AT) hardness and morphology between asymptomatic tendons in patients with acute AT ruptures on the contralateral side and asymptomatic tendons in healthy people by using computer-assisted quantification on axial-strain sonoelastography (ASE). Methods. The study consisted of 33 asymptomatic tendons in 33 patients (study group) and 34 tendons in 19 healthy volunteers (control group). All the tendons were examined by both ASE and conventional ultrasound. Computer-assisted quantification on ASE was applied to extract hardness variables, including the mean (Hmean), 20th percentile (H20), median (H50) and skewness (Hsk) of the hardness within tendon, and the ratio of the mean hardness within tendon to that outside tendon (Hratio) and three morphological variables: the thickness (THK), cross-sectional area, and eccentricity (ECC) of tendons. Results. The Hmean, Hsk, H20, H50, and Hratio in the proximal third of the tendon body in study group were significantly smaller than those in control group (Hmean: 0.43±0.09 vs 0.50±0.07, p=0.001; Hsk: -0.53±0.51 vs -1.09±0.51, p<0.001; H20: 0.31±0.10 vs 0.40±0.10, p=0.001; H50: 0.45±0.10 vs 0.53±0.08, p<0.001; Hratio: 1.01±0.25 vs 1.20±0.23, p=0.003). The THK and cross-sectional area of tendons in the study group were larger than those in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions. As a quantitative objective method, the computer-assisted ASE reveals that the asymptomatic ATs contralateral to acute rupture are softer than those of healthy control group at the proximal third and the asymptomatic tendons in people with rupture history are thicker, larger, and rounder than those of normal volunteers especially at the middle and distal thirds of AT body.


Author(s):  
Xini Zhang ◽  
Liqin Deng ◽  
Songlin Xiao ◽  
Lu Li ◽  
Weijie Fu

Background: Patients with Achilles tendon (AT) injuries are often engaged in sedentary work because of decreasing tendon vascularisation. Furthermore, men are more likely to be exposed to AT tendinosis or ruptures. These conditions are related to the morphological and mechanical properties of AT, but the mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sex on the morphological and mechanical properties of the AT in inactive individuals. Methods: In total, 30 inactive healthy participants (15 male participants and 15 female participants) were recruited. The AT morphological properties (cross-sectional area, thickness, and length) were captured by using an ultrasound device. The AT force–elongation characteristics were determined during isometric plantarflexion with the ultrasonic videos. The AT stiffness was determined at 50%–100% maximum voluntary contraction force. The AT strain, stress, and hysteresis were calculated. Results: Male participants had 15% longer AT length, 31% larger AT cross-sectional area and 21% thicker AT than female participants (p < 0.05). The plantarflexion torque, peak AT force, peak AT stress, and AT stiffness were significantly greater in male participants than in female participants (p < 0.05). However, no significant sex-specific differences were observed in peak AT strain and hysteresis (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In physically inactive adults, the morphological properties of AT were superior in men but were exposed to higher stress conditions. Moreover, no significant sex-specific differences were observed in peak AT strain and hysteresis, indicating that the AT of males did not store and return elastic energy more efficiently than that of females. Thus, the mechanical properties of the AT should be maintained and/or improved through physical exercise.


2009 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 1332-1337 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Finni ◽  
V. Kovanen ◽  
P. H. A. Ronkainen ◽  
E. Pöllänen ◽  
G. R. Bashford ◽  
...  

Estrogen concentration has been suggested to play a role in tendon abnormalities and injury. In physically active postmenopausal women, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been suggested to decrease tendon diameter. We hypothesized that HRT use and physical activity are associated with Achilles tendon size and tissue structure. The study applied cotwin analysis of fourteen 54- to 62-yr-old identical female twin pairs with current discordance for HRT use for an average of 7 yr. Achilles tendon thickness and cross-sectional areas were determined by ultrasonography, and tendon structural organization was analyzed from the images using linear discriminant analysis (LDA). Maximal voluntary and twitch torques from plantar flexor muscles were measured. Serum levels of estradiol, estrone, testosterone, and sex hormone binding globulin were analyzed. Total daily metabolic equivalent score (MET-h/day) was calculated from physical activity questionnaires. Results showed that, in five physically active (MET > 4) pairs, the cotwins receiving HRT had greater estradiol level ( P = 0.043) and smaller tendon cross-sectional area than their sisters (63 vs. 71 mm2, P = 0.043). Among all pairs, Achilles tendon thickness and cross-sectional area did not significantly differ between HRT using and nonusing twin sisters. Intrapair correlation for Achilles tendon thickness was high, despite HRT use discordance ( r = 0.84, P < 0.001). LDA distinguished different tendon structure only from two of six examined twin pairs who had a similar level of physical activity. In conclusion, the effect of HRT on Achilles tendon characteristics independent of genetic confounding may be present only in the presence of sufficient physical activity. In physically active twin pairs, the higher level of estrogen seems to be associated with smaller tendon size.


2001 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. S126 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Beyer ◽  
H Abrahamsen ◽  
K Neergaard ◽  
M Kjaer ◽  
P Aagaard ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 342-347
Author(s):  
M.H.S. Moxness ◽  
V. Bugten ◽  
W.M. Thorstensen ◽  
S. Nordgard ◽  
G. Bruskeland

Background: The differences in nasal geometry and function between OSA patients and healthy individuals are not known. Our aim was to evaluate the differences in nasal geometry and function using acoustic rhinometry (AR) and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) between an OSA population and healthy controls. Methodology: The study was designed as a prospective case-control study. Ninety-three OSA patients and 92 controls were enrolled from 2010 to 2015. The minimal cross-sectional area (MCA) and the nasal cavity volume (NCV) in two parts of the nose (MCA0-3/NCV0-3 and MCA3-5.2/NCV3-5.2) and PNIF were measured at baseline and after decongestion. Results: The mean MCA0-3 in the OSA group was 0.49 cm2; compared to 0.55 cm2 in controls. The mean NCV0-3 correspondingly was 2.51 cm3 compared to 2.73 cm3 in controls. PNIF measured 105 litres/minute in the OSA group and 117 litres/minute in the controls. Conclusions: OSA patients have a lower minimum cross-sectional area, nasal cavity volume and peak inspiratory flow compared to controls. Our study supports the view that changes in the nasal cavity may contribute to development of OSA.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document