Ultrasonographic Assessment of Normal Achilles Tendon Thickness and Width in the Asymptomatic Sudanese Population

Abstract

Background: The goal of this study was to measure normal Achilles tendon (AT) thickness and width in adult asymptomatic Sudanese people using high-resolution ultrasound. Methods and Results: The study was conducted on members of a healthy Sudanese population (120 volunteers: 73/60.8% women and 47/39.2% men), who were chosen using simple random sampling. The study cases were all healthy people with no history of AT injuries or abnormalities. All patients were examined using a Toshiba Xairo200 linear transducer with a frequency range of 7-10MHz. All measurements were taken from a transverse scan at the calcaneus bone level of the AT insertion and 2 to 3cm above the calcaneus. The age group 20-27 had the most participants (44.2%), followed by 36-43 years (19.2%), 28-35 years (15.8%), 52-60 years (14.2%), and 44-51 years (6.7%). The study revealed that the mean age of participants was 34.19±12.29 years, height - 164±0.081 cm, weight - 67.22±15.97 kg, and BMI - 24.38±5.84 kg/m2. The mean thickness and width of the AT were 4.36±0.81 mm and 21.85±3.23 mm, respectively, at its insertion into the calcaneus, and 4.63±0.77 mm and 12.20±1.37 mm, respectively, at the level 2-3 cm above the insertion. We found significant differences according to gender between the AT thickness and width at insertion into the calcaneus and above insertion and no statistically significant differences between the AT measurement's right and left side data. Conclusion: The study found gender differences in the AT thickness and width at insertion into the calcaneus and 2-3 cm above the insertion. No statistically significant differences were detected between the AT measurement’s right and left side data.Age, weight, height, and BMI correlated with the thickness and width of the AT at its insertion into the calcaneus and 2-3 cm above. Furthermore, additional research should be conducted using an extended field-of-view technology to measure the length of the AT tendon in the Sudanese population.