Achilles tendon cross-sectional area at 12weeks post-rupture relates to 1-year heel-rise height.

Abstract

Achilles tendon rupture leads to long-term plantar flexor deficits, but some patients recover functional performance better than others. Early indicators of tendon healing could be helpful in establishing patient prognosis and making individualized decisions regarding rehabilitation progression. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between early tendon morphology and mechanical properties to long-term heel-rise and jumping function in individuals after Achilles tendon rupture. Individuals after Achilles tendon rupture were assessed at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 52weeks post-injury. Tendon cross-sectional area, length, and mechanical properties were measured using ultrasound. Heel-rise and jump tests were performed at 24 and 52weeks. Correlation and regression analysis were used to identify relationships between tendon structural variables in the first 12weeks to functional outcomes at 52weeks, and determine whether the addition of tendon structural characteristics at 24weeks strengthened relationships between functional performance at 24 and 52weeks. Functional outcomes of individuals with < 3cm of elongation were compared to those with > 3cm of elongation using a Mann-Whitney U test. Twenty-two participants [mean (SD) age = 40 (11)years, 17 male] were included. Tendon cross-sectional area at 12weeks was the strongest predictor of heel-rise height (R2 = 0.280, p = 0.014) and work symmetry (R2 = 0.316, p = 0.008) at 52weeks. Jumping performance at 52weeks was not significantly related to any of the tendon structural measures in the first 12weeks. Performance of all functional tasks at 24weeks was positively related to performance on the same task at 52weeks (r = 0.456-0.708, p < 0.05). The addition of tendon cross-sectional area improved the model for height LSI (R2 = 0.519, p = 0.001). Tendon elongation > 3cm significantly reduced jumping symmetry (p < 0.05). Tendon cross-sectional area and excessive elongation related to plantar flexor performance on functional testing after Achilles tendon rupture. Once an individual is able to perform function-based testing, tendon structural measures may inform long-term prognosis. Ultrasound-based measures of tendon structure early in recovery seem to relate to later performance on functional testing. Clinically, assessing tendon structure has the potential to be used as a biomarker of tendon healing early in recovery and better predict patients at risk of negative functional outcome. II.