Physiological Achilles Tendon Length and Its Relation to Tibia Length

Rosso, Claudio; Schuetz, Philipp; Polzer, Caroline; Weisskopf, Lukas; Studler, Ulrich; Valderrábano, Víctor

doi:10.1097/jsm.0b013e3182639a3e

Cited by 25 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Until now, Achilles tendon length was measured by implanting metal markers into the tendon and looking at the gapping or increase in ankle dorsiflexion in different post-operative rehabilitation protocols without measuring the actual Achilles tendon length, thus lacking direct comparison to our findings [8,21,22]. In a previous study, we evaluated Achilles tendon length [27] and showed that dorsiflexion of the ankle joint, although significant, is only a weak predictor (R 2 = 0.07) of Achilles tendon length and should thus not be used to assess Achilles tendon overlength after repairs [12,21].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term outcomes of muscle volume and Achilles tendon length after Achilles tendon ruptures

Rosso

Vavken

Polzer

et al. 2013

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc

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Purpose The best treatment for Achilles tendon (AT) ruptures remains controversial. Long-term follow-up with radiological and clinical measurements is needed. Methods In this retrospective multicentre cohort study, patients (n = 52) were assessed at a mean of 91 months follow-up after unilateral AT rupture treated by open, percutaneous or conservative (non-surgical) treatment. Demographic parameters, time off work, maximum calf circumference and clinical scores (ATRS, Hannover, AOFAS) were evaluated. Muscle volume and cross-sectional area of the calf and AT length were measured on MR images and were compared between groups and to each patient's healthy contralateral leg. Results Reduced muscle volume was found across all groups with a higher muscle volume in the conservative (729.9 ± 130.3 cm 3 ) compared to the percutaneous group (675.9 ± 207.4 cm 3 , p = 0.04). AT length was longer in the affected leg (198.4 ± 24.1 vs. 180.6 ± 25.0 mm, p \ 0.0001) without difference in subgroup analysis. Clinically measured ankle dorsiflexion showed poor correlation with AT length (R 2 = 0.07, p = 0.008). Muscle volume strongly correlated with the cross-sectional area (R 2 = 0.6, p \ 0.0001) but showed a weak correlation with the Hannover score (R 2 = 0.08, p = 0.048). Maximum calf circumference correlated with muscle volume (R 2 = 0.42, p \ 0.0001). Conclusions No significant difference between the treatment groups was found in muscle volume, AT length, clinical measures or days off work. Cross-sectional area and maximum calf circumference are cost-effective measurements and a good approximation of muscle volume and can thus be used in a clinical setting while clinical dorsiflexion should not be used. Level of evidence III.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term outcomes of muscle volume and Achilles tendon length after Achilles tendon ruptures

Rosso

Vavken

Polzer

et al. 2013

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc

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“…An important difference between the knee extensors and plantar flexors is the lengths of their associated tendons. The Achilles tendon is longer than the combined length of the patellar and quadriceps tendons (12,32,45). Furthermore, the patella is situated between the patellar and quadriceps tendon whereas the Achilles tendon is would likely have negated any possible influence.…”

Section: Maximal Voluntary Torque and Evoked Torquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are Females More Resistant to Extreme Neuromuscular Fatigue?

Temesi

Arnal

Rupp

et al. 2015

Medicine &Amp; Science in Sports &Amp; Exercise

104

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Females exhibited less peripheral fatigue in the plantar flexors than males did after a 110-km ultra-trail-running race and males demonstrated a greater decrease in maximal force loss in the knee extensors. There were no differences in the magnitude of central fatigue for either muscle group or TMS-induced outcomes. The lower level of fatigue in the knee extensors and peripheral fatigue in the plantar flexors could partly explain the reports of better performance in females in extreme duration running races as race distance increases.

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“…It can therefore be assumed that oscillations at the Achilles tendon were not affected by the tape. Due to their small size (2.03 cm x 1.52 cm x 0.76 cm) and mass (2.8 g) the sensors are easy to attach to the skin and are able to measure accelerations up to 6 G. Achilles tendon length correlates with tibia length [ 27 ]. In order to assure comparable accelerometer locations between subjects, tibial length was determined in a sitting position from ground to Caput fibulae.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Footwear Modifications on Oscillations at the Achilles Tendon during Running on a Treadmill and Over Ground: A Cross-Sectional Study

2016

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BackgroundAchilles tendon injuries are known to commonly occur in runners. During running repeated impacts are transferred in axial direction along the lower leg, therefore possibly affecting the oscillation behavior of the Achilles tendon. The purpose of the present study was to explore the effects of different footwear modifications and different ground conditions (over ground versus treadmill) on oscillations at the Achilles tendon.MethodsOscillations were measured in 20 male runners using two tri-axial accelerometers. Participants ran in three different shoe types on a treadmill and over ground. Data analysis was limited to stance phase and performed in time and frequency space. Statistical comparison was conducted between oscillations in vertical and horizontal direction, between running shoes and between ground conditions (treadmill versus over ground running).ResultsDifferences in the oscillation behavior could be detected between measurement directions with peak accelerations in the vertical being lower than those in the horizontal direction, p < 0.01. Peak accelerations occurred earlier at the distal accelerometer than at the proximal one, p < 0.01. Average normalized power differed between running shoes (p < 0.01) with harder damping material resulting in higher power values. Little to no power attenuation was found between the two accelerometers. Oscillation behavior of the Achilles tendon is not influenced by ground condition.ConclusionDifferences in shoe configurations may lead to variations in running technique and impact forces and therefore result in alterations of the vibration behavior at the Achilles tendon. The absence of power attenuation may have been caused by either a short distance between the two accelerometers or high stiffness of the tendon. High stiffness of the tendon will lead to complete transmission of the signal along the Achilles tendon and therefore no attenuation occurs.

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Physiological Achilles Tendon Length and Its Relation to Tibia Length

Abstract: We defined a new way to measure the ATL in a consistent way in healthy subjects and showed correlations between ATL, TL and body height and defined an algorithm of ATL based on TL. The ATL and the ATL-algorithm might be important in patients with impaired tendons such as AT ruptures.

Cited by 25 publications

References 19 publications

Long-term outcomes of muscle volume and Achilles tendon length after Achilles tendon ruptures

Long-term outcomes of muscle volume and Achilles tendon length after Achilles tendon ruptures

Are Females More Resistant to Extreme Neuromuscular Fatigue?

Effect of Footwear Modifications on Oscillations at the Achilles Tendon during Running on a Treadmill and Over Ground: A Cross-Sectional Study

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