Early Predictors of Recovery From Nonoperatively Treated Achilles Tendon Rupture: 1 Year Follow‐Up Study

Sukanen, Maria, Khair, Ra’ad M., Reito, Aleksi, Ponkilainen, Ville, Paloneva, Juha, Cronin, Neil ORCID: 0000-0002-5332-1188, Hautala, Arto J. and Finni, Taija (2024) Early Predictors of Recovery From Nonoperatively Treated Achilles Tendon Rupture: 1 Year Follow‐Up Study. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 34 (7). e14700. doi:10.1111/sms.14700

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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate early structural and mechanical predictors of plantarflexor muscle strength and the magnitude of Achilles tendon (AT) nonuniform displacement at 6 and 12 months after AT rupture. Methods: Thirty-five participants (28 males and 7 females; mean ± SD age 41.7 ± 11.1 years) were assessed for isometric plantarflexion maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and AT nonuniformity at 6 and 12 months after rupture. Structural and mechanical AT and plantarflexor muscle properties were measured at 2 months. Limb asymmetry index (LSI) was calculated for all variables. Multiple linear regression was used with the 6 and 12 month MVC LSI and 12 month AT nonuniformity LSI as dependent variables and AT and plantarflexor muscle properties at 2 months as independent variables. The level of pre- and post-injury sports participation was inquired using Tegner score at 2 and 12 months (scale 0-10, 10 = best possible score). Subjective perception of recovery was assessed with Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) at 12 months (scale 0-100, 100=best possible score). Results: Achilles tendon resting angle (ATRA) symmetry at 2 months predicted MVC symmetry at 6 and 12 months after rupture (β = 2.530, 95% CI 1.041-4.018, adjusted R2 = 0.416, p = 0.002; β = 1.659, 95% CI 0.330-2.988, adjusted R2 = 0.418, p = 0.016, respectively). At 12 months, participants had recovered their pre-injury level of sports participation (Tegner 6 ± 2 points). The median (IQR) ATRS score was 92 (7) points at 12 months. Conclusion: Greater asymmetry of ATRA in the early recovery phase may be a predictor of plantarflexor muscle strength deficits up to 1 year after rupture.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Achilles tendon resting angle; Shear wave elastography; Strength deficit; Tendon nonuniformity; Ultrasonography
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports Q Science > QP Physiology Q Science > QP Physiology > QP301.H75 Physiology. Sport
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Science
Depositing User:	Charlotte Crutchlow
Date Deposited:	17 Jul 2024 09:24
Last Modified:	19 Jul 2024 11:15
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/14237

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