Do the heel-rise test and isometric strength improve after Achilles tendon repair using Dresden technique?

Fuente, Carlos De la; Henríquez, Hugo; Carmont, Michael R.; Huincahue, Javiera; Paredes, Tamara; Tapia, M.E.; Araya, Juan Pablo; Díaz, Nicolás Masquiarán; Carpes, Felipe P.

doi:10.1016/j.fas.2021.01.007

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 43 publications

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“…ballistic contraction and subsequent tendon elongation. As discussed by other authors before, this co-contraction may prevent the tendon from explosive, eccentric loading, even though this activation pattern increases net tendon strain [ 4 , 7 , 27 , 33 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Neuromechanical activation of triceps surae muscle remains altered at 3.5 years following open surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture

Mauch²,

Heitner³

et al. 2021

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc

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Purpose To assess whether the neuromuscular activation pattern following Achilles tendon rupture and repair may contributes to the observable functional deficits in this severe and increasingly frequent injury. Methods In this study, the neuromuscular activation using surface EMG of n = 52 patients was assessed during a battery of functional performance tasks to assess potential alterations of muscular activation and recruitment. We analyzed the injured leg vs. the contralateral healthy leg at a mean of 3.5 years following open surgical repair. The testing battery included isokinetic strength testing, bipedal and single-legged heel-rise testing as well as gait analysis. Results During isokinetic testing, we observed a higher activation integral for all triceps surae muscles of the injured side during active dorsiflexion, e.g., eccentric loading on the injured leg, while concentric plantarflexion showed no significant difference. Dynamic heel-rise testing showed a higher activation in concentric and eccentric loading for all posterior muscles on the injured side (not significant); while static heel-rise for 10 sec. revealed a significantly higher activation. Further analysis of frequency of fast Fourier-transformed EMG revealed a significantly higher median frequency in the injured leg. Gait analysis revealed a higher pre-activation of the tibialis anterior before ground contact, while medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles of the injured leg showed a significantly higher activation during push-off phase. Conclusions The results of this study provide evidence on the neuromuscular changes 3.5 years following open surgical Achilles tendon repair. These complex neuromuscular changes are manifested to produce the maximum force output whilst protecting the previously injured tendon. The observed alterations may be related to an increased recruitment of type II muscle fibers which could make the muscles prone to fatigue. Level of evidence III.

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