A1 Journal article (refereed)
Exploration of muscle–tendon biomechanics one year after Achilles tendon rupture and the compensatory role of flexor hallucis longus (2023)
Khair, R. M., Stenroth, L., Cronin, N. J., Ponkilainen, V., Reito, A., & Finni, T. (2023). Exploration of muscle–tendon biomechanics one year after Achilles tendon rupture and the compensatory role of flexor hallucis longus. Journal of Biomechanics, 152, Article 111586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111586
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Khair, Ra'ad M.; Stenroth, Lauri; Cronin, Neil J.; Ponkilainen, Ville; Reito, Aleksi; Finni, Taija
Journal or series: Journal of Biomechanics
ISSN: 0021-9290
eISSN: 1873-2380
Publication year: 2023
Publication date: 13/04/2023
Volume: 152
Article number: 111586
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication country: United States
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111586
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/86546
Abstract
Achilles tendon (AT) rupture leads to long-term structural and functional impairments. Currently, the predictors of good recovery after rupture are poorly known. Thus, we aimed to explore the interconnections between structural, mechanical, and neuromuscular parameters and their associations with factors that could explain good recovery in patients with non-surgically treated AT rupture. A total of 35 patients with unilateral rupture (6 females) participated in this study. Muscle-tendon structural, mechanical, and neuromuscular parameters were measured 1-year after rupture. Interconnections between the inter-limb differences (Δ) were explored using partial correlations, followed by multivariable linear regression to find associations between the measured factors and the following markers that indicate good recovery: 1) tendon length, 2) tendon non-uniform displacement, and 3) flexor hallucis longus (FHL) normalized EMG amplitude difference between limbs. Δmedial gastrocnemius (MG) (β = −0.12, p = 0.007) and Δlateral gastrocnemius (β = −0.086, p = 0.030) subtendon lengths were associated with MG tendon Δstiffness. MG (β = 11.56, p = 0.003) and soleus (β = 2.18, p = 0.040) Δsubtendon lengths explained 48 % of variance in FHL EMG amplitude. Regression models for tendon length and non-uniform displacement were not significant. Smaller inter-limb differences in Achilles subtendon lengths were associated with smaller differences in the AT stiffness between limbs, and a smaller contribution of FHL muscle to the plantarflexion torque. In the injured limb, the increased contribution of FHL appears to partially counteract a smaller contribution from MG due to the elongated tendon, however the role of FHL should not be emphasized during rehabilitation to allow recovery of the TS muscles.
Keywords: tendons; calcaneal tendon; muscles; injuries and disabilities; biomechanics; ultrasonography
Free keywords: ultrasonography; flexor hallucis longus muscle; tendons; function; mechanical; muscle
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- Understanding restoration of Achilles Tendon function after rupture
- Juutinen, Taija
- Research Council of Finland
Related research datasets
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2023
JUFO rating: 2