Does Mobility of the Ankle Joint Depends on Length of the Free Part of the Achilles Tendon?
The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the length of the free part of the Achilles tendon affects the mobility of the ankle joint in active motion without a load, as well as in functional motion with a body-weight load. We examined 36 healthy people, aged 21 to 30 years, and divided them into...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Symmetry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/14/11/2313 |
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| author | Tomasz Wawrzyński Bernadeta Angelika Pietrzak Anna Mika |
| author_facet | Tomasz Wawrzyński Bernadeta Angelika Pietrzak Anna Mika |
| author_sort | Tomasz Wawrzyński |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the length of the free part of the Achilles tendon affects the mobility of the ankle joint in active motion without a load, as well as in functional motion with a body-weight load. We examined 36 healthy people, aged 21 to 30 years, and divided them into two groups: 1 (n = 15)—participants with a normal range of dorsiflexion in the ankle joint (20° or more), and 2 (n = 21)—participants with a reduced range of dorsiflexion in the ankle joint (below 20°). The length of the free part of the Achilles tendon was measured using ultrasonography. Ankle joint range of dorsiflexion was assessed, and a weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT) was conducted. Group 1 performed the WBLT better and demonstrated significantly greater Achilles tendon length compared to Group 2. A moderate, significant correlation was observed between ankle joint range of dorsiflexion and Achilles tendon length (<i>r</i> = 0.53, <i>p</i> < 0.05); between WBLT and Achilles tendon length (<i>r</i> = 0.61, <i>p</i> < 0.05); as well as between ankle joint range of dorsiflexion and WBLT (<i>r</i> = 0.63, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Thus, we can suggest that both the length of the tendon (measured by USG) and the ankle range of motion under a body-weight load (measured by WBLT) are good indicators regarding the range of foot dorsiflexion, but only up to specific values (6 cm of tendon length and 11 cm of WBLT reach). Therefore, Achilles tendon length, e.g., after injury and during tendon healing, may be monitored using the method of ultrasound imaging presented in this study. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:36:26Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-8994 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:36:26Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Symmetry |
| spelling | doaj.art-a6b9750cae6f41e8bd2a6232b4ca26dd2023-11-24T07:08:19ZengMDPI AGSymmetry2073-89942022-11-011411231310.3390/sym14112313Does Mobility of the Ankle Joint Depends on Length of the Free Part of the Achilles Tendon?Tomasz Wawrzyński0Bernadeta Angelika Pietrzak1Anna Mika2Institute of Clinical Rehabilitation, University of Physical Education in Kraków, al. Jana Pawła II 78, 31-571 Kraków, PolandLaboratory of Neuropharmacology and Epigenetics, Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Smetna 12, 31-343 Kraków, PolandInstitute of Clinical Rehabilitation, University of Physical Education in Kraków, al. Jana Pawła II 78, 31-571 Kraków, PolandThe aim of our study was to evaluate whether the length of the free part of the Achilles tendon affects the mobility of the ankle joint in active motion without a load, as well as in functional motion with a body-weight load. We examined 36 healthy people, aged 21 to 30 years, and divided them into two groups: 1 (n = 15)—participants with a normal range of dorsiflexion in the ankle joint (20° or more), and 2 (n = 21)—participants with a reduced range of dorsiflexion in the ankle joint (below 20°). The length of the free part of the Achilles tendon was measured using ultrasonography. Ankle joint range of dorsiflexion was assessed, and a weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT) was conducted. Group 1 performed the WBLT better and demonstrated significantly greater Achilles tendon length compared to Group 2. A moderate, significant correlation was observed between ankle joint range of dorsiflexion and Achilles tendon length (<i>r</i> = 0.53, <i>p</i> < 0.05); between WBLT and Achilles tendon length (<i>r</i> = 0.61, <i>p</i> < 0.05); as well as between ankle joint range of dorsiflexion and WBLT (<i>r</i> = 0.63, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Thus, we can suggest that both the length of the tendon (measured by USG) and the ankle range of motion under a body-weight load (measured by WBLT) are good indicators regarding the range of foot dorsiflexion, but only up to specific values (6 cm of tendon length and 11 cm of WBLT reach). Therefore, Achilles tendon length, e.g., after injury and during tendon healing, may be monitored using the method of ultrasound imaging presented in this study.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/14/11/2313Achilles tendon free partankle jointUSGweight-bearing lunge test |
| spellingShingle | Tomasz Wawrzyński Bernadeta Angelika Pietrzak Anna Mika Does Mobility of the Ankle Joint Depends on Length of the Free Part of the Achilles Tendon? Symmetry Achilles tendon free part ankle joint USG weight-bearing lunge test |
| title | Does Mobility of the Ankle Joint Depends on Length of the Free Part of the Achilles Tendon? |
| title_full | Does Mobility of the Ankle Joint Depends on Length of the Free Part of the Achilles Tendon? |
| title_fullStr | Does Mobility of the Ankle Joint Depends on Length of the Free Part of the Achilles Tendon? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Does Mobility of the Ankle Joint Depends on Length of the Free Part of the Achilles Tendon? |
| title_short | Does Mobility of the Ankle Joint Depends on Length of the Free Part of the Achilles Tendon? |
| title_sort | does mobility of the ankle joint depends on length of the free part of the achilles tendon |
| topic | Achilles tendon free part ankle joint USG weight-bearing lunge test |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/14/11/2313 |
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