Ultrasound Imaging of Crural Fascia and Epimysial Fascia Thicknesses in Basketball Players with Previous Ankle Sprains Versus Healthy Subjects

Abstract

Background: Fascial layers may play an important role in locomotor mechanics. Recent researches have revealed an association between increases of fascia thickness and reduced joint flexibility in patients with chronic pain. The purpose of this study was to measure and compare, through the use of ultrasound imaging, the thickness of the deep/crural fascia in different points of the leg as well as the epimysial fascia thickness at level 2 of anterior compartment of leg, in male basketball players with history of recurrent ankle sprain and in healthy participants. Methods: A cross-sectional study has been performed using ultrasound imaging to measure deep/crural fascia thickness of anterior, lateral and posterior compartment of the leg at different levels with a new protocol in a sample of 30 subjects, 15 basketball players and 15 healthy participants. Results: Findings of fascial thickness revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) in epimysial fascia thickness and in deep/crural fascia thickness between levels/compartments of the same group and between two groups. Moreover, Post 3 deep/crural fascia thicknesses (p < 0.001) were decreased showing statistically significant difference for the basketball players group respect the healthy participants group. Conclusions: These findings suggested that the posterior compartment was thicker than anterior compartment, probably due to a postural reason in both groups. Moreover, they showed an increase of thickness of the epimysial fascia in basketball players with previous ankle sprains. This variability underlines the importance to assess the fasciae and to make results comparable.

Ultrasound Imaging of Brachial and Antebrachial Fasciae

“…The results confirmed, as has been demonstrated by other studies, that there are a good intra-and inter-reliability in the US assessment of the deep fasciae, in the case of sonographers with optimal US technical skills and fascial anatomy knowledge [8,27,28].…”

“…As has been reported by other studies examining the deep fascia in other topographical regions (thigh and leg) by US imaging [7,8], the brachial and antebrachial fasciae were visualized in all regions and levels, appearing as linear hyperechogenic layers, below the subcutaneous tissue that surround the muscles [6].…”

“…An analysis of our results about brachial fascia showed that in the posterior region at the different levels was thicker (0.81 ± 0.20 mm) than the anterior region (0.61 ± 0.11 mm) (Table 2), showing a statistical difference (p < 0.0001) (Table 3 and Figure 2), similar to the trend that is present in the lower limbs [7,8]. On the contrary, the antebrachial fascia showed no statistically significant difference between the anterior and the posterior regions/levels (Table 5 and Figure 3).…”

“…In both, the main treatment is fasciotomy [ 2 ]. So, in recent years numerous investigations have been carried out on this topic to understand the anatomical features of the various fasciae of the body [ 2 , 4 ], both in cadavers and in live individuals using Ultrasound (US) Imaging [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. The latter, thanks to its high definition, the possibility to visualize the musculo–skeletal structures in a dynamic way and the lower cost when compared to other non-invasive methods [ 8 , 9 , 10 ], it has become an important tool for studying fascial anatomy and pathology in a rehabilitative point of view [ 5 ].…”

Fascial Manipulation Technique in the Conservative Management of Morton’s Syndrome: A Pilot Study

“…Fascial dysfunctions have been implied in various clinical conditions, such as abnormal proprioception, alterations of mechanical coordination, balance and pain [43][44][45].…”