Biomechanical Gain in Joint Excursion from the Curvature of the Achilles Tendon: Role of the Geometrical Arrangement of Inflection Point, Center of Rotation, and Calcaneus

The dorsal movement of the Achilles tendon during ankle rotation is restricted by anatomical obstructions. Previously, we demonstrated that the anatomical obstruction provides a gain (gainAT) in the proximal displacement of the calcaneus compared to the change in the Achilles tendon length. Here, we empirically validate and extend our previous modeling study by investigating the effects of a broad range of obstruction locations on gainAT. The largest gainAT could be achieved when the obstruction was located on the most ventral and distal sides within the physiological range of the Achilles tendon, irrespective of the ankle position.

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Reliability of a measurement technique for achilles tendon length

Journal of Sports Sciences ◽

10.1080/02640414.2019.1635375 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (20) ◽

pp. 2389-2395

Author(s):

Jiri Skypala ◽

Daniel Jandacka ◽

Joseph Hamill

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Measurement Technique ◽

Tendon Length ◽

Achilles Tendon Length

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A comparison study on hindfoot correction, Achilles tendon length and thickness between clubfoot patients treated with percutaneous Achilles tendon tenotomy versus casting alone using Ponseti method

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery ◽

10.1177/2309499019839126 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 230949901983912

Author(s):

Saturveithan Chandirasegaran ◽

Roshan Gunalan ◽

Saw Aik ◽

Shaleen Kaur

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Ponseti Method ◽

Comparison Study ◽

Tendon Length ◽

Achilles Tendon Length

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Validation of a novel ultrasound measurement of achilles tendon length

Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy ◽

10.1007/s00167-014-3175-2 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (11) ◽

pp. 3398-3406 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod ◽

Anja Falk Riecke ◽

Anders Boesen ◽

Philip Hansen ◽

Jens Friedrich Maier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Ultrasound Measurement ◽

Tendon Length ◽

Achilles Tendon Length

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THE RELIABILITY OF EXTENDED-FIELD-OF-VIEW ULTRASONOGRAPHY FOR MEASUREMENT OF ACHILLES TENDON LENGTH IN VIVO

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1097/00005768-200305001-01473 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 35 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. S266

Author(s):

C Borody ◽

A Mascia

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Field Of View ◽

Tendon Length ◽

Extended Field ◽

Achilles Tendon Length ◽

Extended Field Of View

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Gait Function and Postural Control 4.5 Years After Nonoperative Dynamic Treatment of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967119854324 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (6) ◽

pp. 232596711985432 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Merete B. Speedtsberg ◽

Rasmus Kastoft ◽

Kristoffer W. Barfod ◽

Jeanette Ø. Penny ◽

Jesper Bencke

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Dynamic Stiffness ◽

Plantar Flexion ◽

Achilles Tendon Rupture ◽

Case Series ◽

Tendon Length ◽

Balance Task ◽

Achilles Tendon Length

Background: An Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) is known to cause persistent biomechanical deficits such as decreased muscle strength in end-range plantar flexion and reduced tendon stiffness. Purpose/Hypothesis: This study aimed to examine whether sustained asymmetries were present in dynamic stiffness and kinematic and kinetic variables in gait and single-leg balance at 4.5-year follow-up in conservatively treated patients recovering from an ATR. We hypothesized that patients who had recovered from ATRs exhibit a midterm increase in peak ankle dorsiflexion, a decrease in concentric work, and decreased dynamic stiffness during the stance phase of gait, along with increased single-leg standing sway in the injured leg compared with the uninjured leg. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional medium-term follow-up of conservatively treated patients recovering from ATRs. A total of 34 patients who underwent nonoperative treatment were included for testing 4.5 years after a rupture. The Achilles tendon length was measured using ultrasound. Standard instrumented 3-dimensional (3D) gait analysis and single-leg standing balance were performed using 3D motion capture. Kinematic and kinetic ankle parameters were calculated during gait, and quasi-stiffness was calculated as the moment change per the change in the degree of dorsiflexion during the second (ankle) rocker of the gait cycle. Center of pressure displacement (sway length), along with rambling and trembling, was calculated for the single-leg balance task. Results: Peak dorsiflexion in stance was 13.4% larger in the injured leg than the uninjured leg (16.9° ± 3.1° vs 14.9° ± 0.4°, respectively; P ≤ .001). Peak dorsiflexion was not associated with the normalized Achilles tendon length (B = 0.052; P = .775). Total positive work in the plantar flexors was 23.9% greater in the uninjured leg than the injured leg (4.71 ± 1.60 vs 3.80 ± 0.79 J/kg, respectively; P = .001). Quasi-stiffness was greater in the uninjured leg than the injured leg during the initial (0.053 ± 0.022 vs 0.046 ± 0.020 N·m/kg/deg, respectively; P = .009) and late (0.162 ± 0.110 vs 0.139 ± 0.041 N·m/kg/deg, respectively; P = .005) phases of eccentric loading. No difference was found in sway length during single-leg stance between the injured and uninjured legs (1.45 ± 0.4 vs 1.44 ± 0.4 m, respectively; P = .955). Conclusion: Patients treated conservatively have a small increase in peak dorsiflexion, decreased total concentric plantar flexor power, and decreased quasi-stiffness in initial and end-range dorsiflexion in the injured leg. These deviations could not be directly associated with the measured tendon elongation. Registration: NCT02760784 ( ClinicalTrials.gov ).

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