Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
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Centre for Human Performance
This is a retrospective study assessing the time course of changes (i.e. muscle-tendon function, strength, functional performance) following surgically repaired Achilles tendon rupture.
Recently, the use of dynamic ultrasonography to track changes in fascicle and tendon length has been used to understand muscle-tendon unit behaviour during different movements. Although this has been successfully utilised to understand human performance, few studies have applied this technique to injured populations such as those with Achilles tendon ruptures. Such an approach may provide further insight into the changes in tendon and muscle behaviour following Achilles tendon rupture which may underpin many of the short- and long-term impairments that are often observed.
The Approach
The study involved three data collection sessions at three, six and 12 months in which participants underwent morphological (i.e. ultrasonography), clinical (i.e. isokinetic dynamometry, range of motion) and functional (i.e. walking, jumping) to monitor the time-course of rehabilitation.
The Impact
Since few investigations have examined the time-course of recovery following Achilles tendon ruptures, the use of frequent monitoring will provide an insight into the rate of recovery in patients physiology, strength and every-day activities which is useful in managing patient expectations following surgery. Information on the changes to tendons and muscle following surgery will help to better understand the adaptations that help compensate for long-lasting impairments in patient function and will inform strategies aimed at restoring function to pre-injury levels.
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