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 editorsKhair, Ra'ad M.; Stenroth, Lauri; Cronin, Neil J.; Ponkilainen, Ville; Reito, Aleksi; Finni, Taija

Journal or seriesJournal of Biomechanics

ISSN0021-9290

eISSN1873-2380

Publication year2023

Publication date13/04/2023

Volume152

Article number111586

PublisherElsevier

Publication countryUnited States

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111586

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessPartially 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.


Keywordstendonscalcaneal tendonmusclesinjuries and disabilitiesbiomechanicsultrasonography

Free keywordsultrasonography; flexor hallucis longus muscle; tendons; function; mechanical; muscle


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Ministry reportingYes

VIRTA submission year2023

JUFO rating2


Last updated on 2024-12-10 at 16:30