Short summary

The measurement of muscle strain by speckle tracking ultrasonography (STU) is an non-invasive and novel method and clinical validation studies are yet to be conducted. STU provides the capability to examine by imaging, what once could only be examined by invasive methods. When validated, STU may change the way rehabilitation and training courses are evaluated and will be more accessible due to its relatively low cost. To our knowledge no STU validation studies on the triceps surea (TS) muscle have been performed and the benefit of a non-invasive method to examine patients after achilles tendon rupture(ATR) may demonstrate great potential for personalized and targeted rehabilitation. 

Rationale

Muscle strain is the result of tension-generating sites within muscle fibers acting cumulatively to generate contraction and can be used as a quantitative measure of the contractile properties of muscle tissue.

The aim is to establish clinometric properties and healthy reference values on a novel STU method for quantitative assessment of muscle strain of TS muscle in healthy reference participants (study I). In addition, the protocol aims to conduct a case control study for clinical assessment of muscle strain development in patients with ATR in comparison with non-affected leg and healthy reference values (study II). For both studies, primary outcome is muscle strain and patient reported outcomes, Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS), function and quality of life will be examined as secondary outcomes. 

Description of the cohort

The study population for study I will consist of healthy reference participants between the age of 18 and 60 years old.

In study II the study population consist of patients with ATR

Collaborating researchers and departments

Departmant of Orthopaediac, Odense University Hospital

• Associate Professor, PhD, Lars Henrik Frich
• Associate Professor, PhD, Anders Holsgaard-Larsen