Author/Authors :
Bian ، Donglin Department of Ultrasound - First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University , Wang ، Xuemei Department of Ultrasound - First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University , Huang ، Kun Department of Ultrasound - First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University , Zhang ، Zhen Department of Ultrasound - First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University
Abstract :
Background: Sonoelastography is extensively used for clinical diagnosis. Different types of elastography can be used to assess the elastic properties (stiffness) of tissues. For quantitative analyses, shear wave elastography (SWE) has been applied as a non-invasive method in the past decade. Today, SWE is widely used for diagnosing diseases. However, a limited number of studies have investigated musculoskeletal injuries and neoplastic diseases. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative functional recovery of Achilles tendon ruptures by SWE to determine the Achilles tendon function and provide reliable evidence for clinicians. Patients and Methods: SWE was used to measure elasticity in 67 patients with Achilles tendon ruptures. In the postoperative stage, 17 patients were lost to follow-up. The remaining 50 patients with Achilles tendon ruptures were examined. Each patient was followed-up for one, three, and six months postoperatively. The 0° flexion of the ankle joint was considered as the standard position. The mean elasticity (Emean) of the Achilles tendon was measured and recorded at different time points before and after surgery. Besides, the thickness and width of the Achilles tendon were measured at the corresponding time points. Results: The mean elasticity (Emean) of normal and ruptured Achilles tendons was 447.4 ± 59.57 and 63.84 ± 45.18 kPa, respectively in 50 patients with ruptured Achilles tendons before surgery. On the other hand, the Emean values of ruptured Achilles tendons in one-, three-, and six-month follow-ups were 110.3 ± 35.60, 183.4 ± 46.08, and 279.1 ± 48.18 kPa in 50 patients, respectively. Regarding the Emean, the difference between the five time points was significant (F = 418.5, P 0.01). With prolongation of postoperative recovery, the Emean of the Achilles tendon gradually increased; the Emean value significantly increased at six months after surgery. Conclusion: The quantitative analysis of the postoperative function of Achilles tendon, based on the Emean value obtained by SWE, can be helpful in guiding clinicians to objectively examine the prognosis of patients.
Keywords :
Elastography , Ultrasonography , Achilles Tendon , Rupture
