Comparison of gastrocnemius-achilles tendon complex stiffness in different arch morphology by shear wave elastography
10.3969/j.issn.1001-1242.2025.09.011
- VernacularTitle:应用弹性成像技术对比不同足弓形态腓肠肌-跟腱复合体硬度的研究
- Author:
Wenjing WANG
1
;
Tiantian CHANG
;
Zhijie ZHANG
Author Information
1. 上海体育大学,上海,200438
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
gastrocnemius;
achilles tendon;
foot arch;
shear wave elastography;
stiffness;
range of motion
- From:
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
2025;40(9):1360-1365
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the stiffness of the gastrocnemius muscle-tendon complex at different ankle joint an-gles and its correlation with foot arch morphology in healthy subjects using shear wave elastography(SWE).Method:Forty healthy subjects were recruited and divided into standard,low-arch,and high-arch groups based on arch height index under load(AHIload).The arch stiffness index was calculated from both loaded and non-loaded arch height.The stiffness of the medial gastrocnemius,lateral gastrocnemius,and achilles tendon were measured by SWE at natural and neutral ankle positions.Result:The stiffness of medial gastrocnemius increased in the low-arch group at the neutral position compared with the high-arch group(P=0.021).The correlation coefficients between the stiffness of medial and lateral gas-trocnemius and the arch stiffness index were 0.355 and 0.484,respectively.The correlation coefficients be-tween passive ankle dorsiflexion range of motion were ﹣0.331 for the medial gastrocnemius and ﹣0.276 for the lateral gastrocnemius.The medial and lateral gastrocnemius stiffness at the natural position did not change with arch height(P>0.05).The stiffness of the achilles tendon at any ankle position showed no significant cor-relation with arch height,arch stiffness index,or passive ankle dorsiflexion range of motion(P>0.05).Conclusion:Individuals with low arches exhibited higher medial gastrocnemius stiffness.Increased arch stiff-ness and decreased passive ankle dorsiflexion were associated with higher medial gastrocnemius stiffness.
