Korean J Sports Med.  2023 Sep;41(3):147-152. 10.5763/kjsm.2023.41.3.147.

The Results of the Ultrasonographic Evaluation for the Contralateral Achilles Tendon in Patients with Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture

• Kim DG
• Kim JB
• Park BS

• KMID: 2545829
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5763/kjsm.2023.41.3.147

Abstract

Purpose
This study was performed to evaluate changes in Achilles tendon (AT) characteristics of asymptomatic tendons in patients with acute AT ruptures on the contralateral side by using ultrasonography.
Methods
From January 2016 to December 2018, 31 patients were enrolled. The contralateral asymptomatic ATs were assessed: (1) fluid collection of paratenon, (2) echogenicity, and (3) thickness. The ATs were divided into the distal, middle, and proximal thirds for evaluation and were assessed before the surgery, as well as at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the surgery. At each time, pain in the tendons was recorded.
Results
In all cases, it was observed that there was a hypoechoic lesion or fluid collection of the paratenon, which did not show a significant change over time. There was no significant difference in tendon thickness according to the period in the distal and proximal areas, and significant differences were observed only in the middle area (p＜ 0.05). A new pain around the tendon occurred most often at 6 weeks after surgery (eight cases of 31 cases, 25.8%). Eight cases of pain (47.1%) remained at 12 months after surgery.
Conclusion
In patients with acute AT rupture, ultrasonographic hypoechoic lesions or fluid collections of the paratenon were initially observed on the contralateral tendon, but this did not show significant changes over time. A significant change in tendon thickness was observed in the middle area, but this did not show a close association with pain.

Keyword

Ankle; Achilles tendon; Rupture; Tendinopathy; Ultrasonography

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) Paratendinopathy. Linear hypoechoic lesion of the outer tendon, at middle portion of the tendon. (B) Tendinosis. Hypoechoic lesion in the tendon, at middle portion of the tendon. (C) Paratendinopathy and tendinosis. Mild thickened tendon with diffuse hypoechogenecity, at middle portion of the tendon.

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