M-Mode Ultrasound Examination of Soleus Muscle in Healthy Subjects: Intra- and Inter-Rater Reliability Study

Abstract

Objective: M-mode ultrasound imaging (US) reflects the motion of connective tissue within muscles. The objectives of this study were to evaluate inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of soleus muscle measurements between examiners with different levels of US experience in asymptomatic subjects and to investigate the level of soleus muscle isometric activity in two positions (knee extended and knee flexed at 30°). Methods: Thirty volunteers without a history of ankle pain were evaluated with US examinations of the soleus muscle. Each muscle was scanned independently by two evaluators. Muscle at rest thickness, maximal isometric contraction thickness, time and velocity measures were detailed and blinded to the other examiner. Results: Intra- and inter-rater reliability at rest, in maximal isometric contraction thickness, contraction time and contraction velocity measures for both positions (extended and flexed knee) were reported from good to excellent for all outcome measurements. The position with the knee extended reported a statistically significant increase in thickness after motion showing 1.33 ± 0.27 mm for measurements at rest thickness with knee extended versus 1.50 ± 0.29 mm for measurements at end thickness with the knee in flexed position (p = 0.001), as well as 1.31 ± 0.23 mm for rest thickness with the knee in flexed position measurements with respect to 1.34 ± 0.24 mm for maximal isometric contraction thickness with extended knee measurements (p = 0.058). Conclusions: This study found that intra- and inter-examiner reliability of M-mode ultrasound imaging of the soleus muscle was excellent in asymptomatic subjects and the soleus muscle activity was different between the position with the knee extended and the position with the knee flexed.

Test-Retest Reliability of Ultrasonographic Measurements from the Rectus Femoris Muscle 1–5 Years after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in the Ipsilateral and Contralateral Legs: An Observational, Case-Control Study

“…The use of ultrasound in physiotherapy as a musculoskeletal assessment has increased [ 34 , 35 ] last decades, and in this study, we verified in an analytical and isolated way the decrease in thickness both in contraction and at rest ( Table 3 ) of the anterior rectus of the quadriceps of the subjects operated on for ACL.…”

Ultrasound Imaging Evaluation of Textural Features in Athletes with Soleus Pathology—A Novel Case-Control Study

“…Currently, there is a high interest in studying soleus muscle characteristics due to its importance during sporting activities as well as for a better understanding of its pathological features [ 5 , 6 , 31 , 32 ]. A soleus muscle pathology may be misdiagnosed and underestimated because of its special clinical features and that, in many cases, soleus disturbances do not require athletes to stop training or playing games [ 6 ].…”

Muscular Echovariation as a New Biomarker for the Classification of Soleus Muscle Pathology: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Nowadays, in the field of sports, there is an urgent need to improve the interpretation of ultrasound images to establish accuracy diagnoses and apply the best treatment options, from a regenerative therapeutic point of view [28,29]. Hence, there is a huge enthusiasm in knowing soleus muscle features and having a better knowledge of pathological characteristics [6,7,30,31]. Based on the special characteristics of IMT tears, these injuries are often not easily recognized, both by therapists and athletes.…”