Validation of a New Device for Measuring Isolated Gastrocnemius Contracture and Evaluation of the Reliability of the Silfverskiöld Test

Abstract

The new ankle ROM measuring device was reliable and responsive for detecting IGC. The Silfverskiöld test had poor inter- and intrarater reliability. Level of evidence Level II, prospective cohort study.

Proximal Medial Gastrocnemius Recession and Stretching Versus Stretching as Treatment of Chronic Plantar Heel Pain

“…33 The PMGR's ability to increase dorsiflexion has been described in only 1 clinical study. 25 In the present study, ankle dorsiflexion with an extended knee joint increased from a baseline level of median 6 degrees to 10.5 degrees at 12-month follow-up in patients operated with the PMGR technique. This increase was less than previously demonstrated in cadaver and clinical studies.…”

“…This increase was less than previously demonstrated in cadaver and clinical studies. 25,35 Although recognizing the PMGR's limited ability to increase ankle dorsiflexion compared with other gastrocnemius recession techniques, we do not know if this influences the clinical outcome, as no The performance of the Achilles muscle-tendon complex on the operated legs and the affected legs from the control group was comparable at 1-year follow-up. However, when comparing performance at baseline with 1-year follow-up, the operative group had a decrease in performance for 2 of the jump tests, while the result for the toe-raise endurance test improved.…”

“…Ankle dorsiflexion was determined using a device that measured the ankle's range of motion that has been previously tested and found to be valid, reliable, and responsive in detecting isolated gastrocnemius contractures (IGCs). 25 An electric goniometer, Biometrics SG150 (Units 25-26, Biometrics Ltd, Newport, UK), with an accuracy of ±2 degrees and a repeatability of 1 degree was used. The device was calibrated before every new participant.…”

Proximal Medial Gastrocnemius Release Versus Open Plantar Fasciotomy for the Surgical Treatment in Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis

“…Moreover, it must be remembered that, to date, there is no general consensus on the definition of gastrocnemius tightness and that the reliability of Silfverskiold’s test is known to be low. 4,18,23…”

“…In fact, 60% of the general population have been described as having some gastrocnemius tightness. 9,23 In this case, 20% of the PMGR group received a procedure on a theoretically slack gastrocnemius. Of these 3 patients, 2 had very good results and 1 had fair results (no surgery or revision was needed for the latter patient).…”