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Patients with Achilles tendon rupture may have deficits in tendon length
Side-to-side differences found in maximal heel-rise heights in patients with Achilles tendon ruptures may be caused by differences in Achilles tendon length, according to this study.
Researchers studied eight patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture and 10 healthy participants. Researchers evaluated heel-rise height, patient-reported outcome and Achilles tendon length at 3, 6, and 12 months. Motion analysis and ultrasound imaging measured the Achilles tendon length.
Study results did not show any side-to-side differences in tendon length or heel-rise height in healthy participants. Patients with Achilles tendon ruptures had a significant difference in tendon length and heel-rise height. Significant negative correlations between side-to-side difference in heel-rise height and Achilles tendon length were noted at the 6-and 12-month follow-up.
“Based on results from this study, the occurrence of tendon elongation seems to be a limiting factor in achieving full return of function,” Karin Grävare Silbernagel PT, ATC, PhD, stated in the abstract. “Therefore, when aiming for full return of function and strength, an important treatment goal appears to be to minimize tendon elongation."