Impact of Physiotherapy on the Calf Muscle Torque Variability after Achilles Tendon Rupture

Vaida Aleknavičiūtė,Laimutis Škikas,Dovilė Kielė,Albertas Skurvydas,Rima Solianik,Nerijus Masiulis

doi:10.33607/rmske.v2i5.866

Abstract

It has been established that muscle torque variability determines movement stability during the task [1]. Calf muscle weakness, ankle range of motion reduction and postural misbalance are common pathological limitations after Achilles tendon rupture (ATR). Most studies analyse rehabilitation influence for muscle strength and body balance, but there is a lack of information about calf muscle torque variability. The aim of the study was to determine ankle plantar flexion and dorsal flexion muscle maximal voluntary contraction torque and variability Q. Organization and methods. We measured five males, (aged 29 ± 6) after 6.5 – week surgery of ATR. Participants performed isometric ankle flexion and extension force with injured and non-injured legs. Muscles maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque and torque variability were measured at –15°; 0°; 15° angles. The variability of target force was 20% of MVC torque. Rehabilitation programme consisted of balance, muscle strength and stretching exercises. Calf muscle MVC torque and variability were observed before and after 8-week rehabilitation. The results of the research. We determined that after physiotherapy the injured and the non-injured leg isometric ankle flexion and extension muscle MVC torque increased and muscle torque variability decreased.Keywords: muscle torque variability, isometric maximal voluntary contraction torque, rehabilitation suformavimas.

Highlights

The Achilles tendon serves the basic function of connecting the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles to the calcaneus bone to allow plantar flexion about the ankle joint [2]
Before and after PT, plantar flexion (Table 1), muscle maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque at –15o, 0o, 15o ankle angles was better (p < 0.05) in the non-injured compared to the injured leg
Dorsal flexion (Table 2) muscle MVC torque was better (p < 0.05) in the non-injured compared to the injured leg at –15o, 0o, 15o angles before PT, and at 0o after PT

Summary

Introduction

The Achilles tendon serves the basic function of connecting the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles to the calcaneus bone to allow plantar flexion about the ankle joint [2]. Achilles tendon is one of the most commonly ruptured tendons in the human body [3]. Achilles tendon rupture influences decreased ankle range of motion, calf muscle weakness, and body balance disturbance [4, 5]. Movement stability and accuracy depends on the amount and quality of the proprioception information. The muscle torque variability (movement stability) depends on the muscle torque, task complexity and somatosensory information [7]. Disrupted afferent information from joints, muscles and tendons, increases muscle torque variability [8]. Information from visual feedback as well as from muscles and tendons is important to movement stability during the task [9]

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Conclusion