Achilles tendon repair: ecostructural adaptations of the tendon and medial gastrocnemius following surgery
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v78.117948Keywords:
Muscle eco-architecture, ultrasound, Achilles tendon repair, medial gastrocnemiusAbstract
Introduction: Surgical repair of the Achilles tendon (AT) may lead to reduced triceps surae function and strength due to morphological adaptations in the tendon and/or the medial gastrocnemius (MG). However, evidence describing these structural changes after AT repair remains limited.
Objective: to determine the differences in the echo-architecture of the MG and AT between the operated (OL) and non-operated leg (NOL) in individuals 6-18 months post-AT surgery.
Methodology: Ten participants (age: 42±12 years, weight: 84±8 kg, height: 176±8 cm) with AT repair 6-18 months post-surgery were evaluated. Ultrasound imaging was utilized to assess the pennation angle, MG thickness, and AT cross-sectional area in both the OL and NOL. Triceps surae strength was measured with the single-leg heel raise test (SHRT), and ankle function with the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS-CL). Comparisons between OL and NOL were conducted using a significance level of p<0.05.
Results: The mean follow-up duration was 14.0 ±3.4 months. AT cross-sectional area (CSA) exhibited significant differences, being greater in the OL (1.4 [1.1-1.6] cm2) compared to the NOL (0.6 [0.6-0.7] cm2, p<0.0001). MG thickness was significantly lower in the OL (1.7 [1.7-2.0] cm) compared to the NOL (1.9 [1.7-2.1] cm). While the MG-pennation angle and the SHRT showed no differences. The FAOS-CL revealed lower scores in quality of life (61 points), sports (82 points), and symptoms (86 points) domains.
Conclusions: In the evaluated cohort, both the AT cross-sectional area and the MG thickness show architectural changes in the OL at 14 months after AT repair.
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