"Effectiveness of the Ultrasound - Guided Lengthening of the Gastrocsoleus Complex"

NCT ID: NCT06302530

Last Updated: 2025-02-20

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

118 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-03-15

Study Completion Date

2025-01-15

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

The study analyzes the effectiveness of different ultrasound-guided surgical techniques to treat gastrocnemius contracture and equinus deformity, conditions that affect ankle dorsiflexion and can cause problems such as plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia. Four techniques were compared: Strayer, Plantaris, Baumann and Gastro-soleo, evaluating their impact on the improvement of ankle motion.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Equinus deformity is a common deformity caused by contracture of the triceps suralis, especially the gastrocnemius. This causes limitation of ankle dorsiflexion, pain and gait incompetence. Treatment includes surgical lengthening techniques such as gastrocnemius tendon recession (Strayer) or isolated plantar tendon transection.

The minimally invasive Strayer technique is effective but carries morbidity. Ultrasound-guided plantar tendon transection is a new minimally invasive technique but its effectiveness has not been well established.

The study will evaluate the effectiveness of four ultrasound-guided surgical techniques in improving ankle dorsiflexion in patients with equinus due to gastrocnemius contracture. The Strayer, Plantaris, Baumann, and Gastro-soleo techniques will be compared, analyzing their impact on mobility before and after surgery.

Patients will be assigned to different groups based on the applied technique, following specific inclusion and exclusion criteria for each procedure. For statistical analysis, Wilcoxon and paired Student's t-tests will be used, depending on data distribution. Additionally, a repeated-measures ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc tests will be applied to compare the results between techniques and determine which achieves the greatest increase in dorsiflexion range.

All techniques are expected to significantly improve dorsiflexion, with differences in the magnitude of change. The Gastro-soleo technique is anticipated to show the highest absolute increase, while Strayer may be the most statistically effective.

The study complies with ethical requirements and has the approval of the ethics committee of the Catholic University of Valencia.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Gastrocnemius Equinus

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators
To reduce bias, the study will use double-blind blinding. Patients will not know the group to which they have been assigned. In addition, the assessors performing the ankle range of motion measurements by goniometry will be blinded to each patient's treatment group.

Randomization to each group will be performed using opaque sealed envelopes that will be opened in the operating room just prior to surgery. Neither the surgeon nor the patient will know the assignment until that time.

The statistical analysis will also be performed in a blinded manner, without the statistician knowing the intervention received by each group. Only after the analysis will the groups be unblinded.

In this way, the aim is to reduce the possibility of knowledge of the assigned treatment influencing the evaluation of the results, both on the part of the patients and of the evaluators and analysts.

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Group Strayer:

This group will consist of patients with isolated gastrocnemius contracture who will be operated with the Strayer technique. This consists of ultrasound-guided surgical recession of the gastrocnemius tendon distally.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Stayer

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

In group A, the intervention involves using the Strayer technique, an echo-guided recession of the gastrocnemius tendon, with local anesthesia and sedation as needed. The patient can be in a prone or supine position. Ultrasound will identify the sural nerve and blood vessels to prevent damage. The entry point is 2-3 cm distal to the medial head of the gastrocnemius. Local anesthetic is infiltrated, and blunt dissection creates a working space. V-shaped curettes widen the entry point without harming noble structures.

Under direct ultrasound control, a curved scalpel is inserted until reaching the medial border of the gastrocnemius tendon. Transection occurs progressively from medial to lateral while flexing the foot. Verification of complete tendon transection is done with a blunt dissector. Finally, a dressing with adhesive strips and an elastic bandage is applied, eliminating the need for sutures.

Group Plantar transection:

This group will include patients with mild contracture of the triceps suralis who will undergo surgery by ultrasound-guided transection of the plantar tendon on the medial aspect of the gastrocnemius.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Plantar transection

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

In group B, an echo-guided transection of the plantar tendon will be performed. Local anesthesia and sedation will be used as needed. The patient will be in prone or supine position. The plantar tendon will be identified ultrasonographically on the medial aspect of the gastrocnemius distal to the myotendinous junction. Local anesthetic will be infiltrated at that point to isolate the plantar tendon. An ultrasound-guided retrograde hook is introduced until the plantar tendon is engaged. Then proceed to retrograde transection of the tendon from lateral to medial, verifying complete section. At the end, a dressing with adhesive strips and elastic bandage, without sutures, will be performed.

Group Bahuman

This group will include patients undergoing an ultrasound-guided recession of the anterior gastrocnemius aponeurosis, where the myotendinous junction is accessed 3 cm proximally using saline for hydrodissection, followed by portal enlargement and scalpel introduction to transect the aponeurosis and plantar tendon under ultrasound verification, without requiring sutures, with patients wearing a Walker boot for 4 weeks and adhering to a stretching protocol

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Baumann

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

It consists of an ultrasound-guided recession of the anterior gastrocnemius aponeurosis. Under local anesthesia, the myotendinous junction is accessed 3 cm proximal to the myotendinous junction, using saline for hydrodissection. Under ultrasound guidance, the entry portal is enlarged and a scalpel is introduced for transection of the aponeurosis and plantar tendon. The procedure is verified with a buttoned probe and does not require sutures. The patient wears a Walker boot for 4 weeks and follows a stretching protocol.

Group Gastro-Soleus

This group will include patients undergoing a modified Strayer technique involving the soleus. Under local anesthesia and ultrasound guidance, the gastrocnemius aponeurosis and a superficial portion of the soleus tendon will be transected

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Gastro-Soleus

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

This technique adapts the Strayer technique to include the soleus. Under local anesthesia, access is gained 4-5 cm distal to the medial head of the gastrocnemius. Transection of the gastrocnemius aponeurosis and a superficial section of the soleus tendon are performed, all under ultrasound guidance. Without the need for sutures, the patient wears a Walker boot for 4 weeks and follows a progressive rehabilitation protocol.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Stayer

In group A, the intervention involves using the Strayer technique, an echo-guided recession of the gastrocnemius tendon, with local anesthesia and sedation as needed. The patient can be in a prone or supine position. Ultrasound will identify the sural nerve and blood vessels to prevent damage. The entry point is 2-3 cm distal to the medial head of the gastrocnemius. Local anesthetic is infiltrated, and blunt dissection creates a working space. V-shaped curettes widen the entry point without harming noble structures.

Under direct ultrasound control, a curved scalpel is inserted until reaching the medial border of the gastrocnemius tendon. Transection occurs progressively from medial to lateral while flexing the foot. Verification of complete tendon transection is done with a blunt dissector. Finally, a dressing with adhesive strips and an elastic bandage is applied, eliminating the need for sutures.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Plantar transection

In group B, an echo-guided transection of the plantar tendon will be performed. Local anesthesia and sedation will be used as needed. The patient will be in prone or supine position. The plantar tendon will be identified ultrasonographically on the medial aspect of the gastrocnemius distal to the myotendinous junction. Local anesthetic will be infiltrated at that point to isolate the plantar tendon. An ultrasound-guided retrograde hook is introduced until the plantar tendon is engaged. Then proceed to retrograde transection of the tendon from lateral to medial, verifying complete section. At the end, a dressing with adhesive strips and elastic bandage, without sutures, will be performed.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Baumann

It consists of an ultrasound-guided recession of the anterior gastrocnemius aponeurosis. Under local anesthesia, the myotendinous junction is accessed 3 cm proximal to the myotendinous junction, using saline for hydrodissection. Under ultrasound guidance, the entry portal is enlarged and a scalpel is introduced for transection of the aponeurosis and plantar tendon. The procedure is verified with a buttoned probe and does not require sutures. The patient wears a Walker boot for 4 weeks and follows a stretching protocol.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Gastro-Soleus

This technique adapts the Strayer technique to include the soleus. Under local anesthesia, access is gained 4-5 cm distal to the medial head of the gastrocnemius. Transection of the gastrocnemius aponeurosis and a superficial section of the soleus tendon are performed, all under ultrasound guidance. Without the need for sutures, the patient wears a Walker boot for 4 weeks and follows a progressive rehabilitation protocol.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Clinical and radiological diagnosis of clubfoot.
* Limitation of passive dorsiflexion of the ankle (\<10°).
* Associated pain and functional limitation
* Absence of previous ankle/foot surgeries

Exclusion Criteria

* Neurologic or congenital disease.
* Advanced ankle joint osteoarthritis
* Peripheral vascular insufficiency
* Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
* Severe hepatic or renal disease
* Coagulopathies or anticoagulant therapy
Minimum Eligible Age

10 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

90 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Fundación Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

SIMONE MORONI, Dr.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE VALENCIA

JAVIER FERRER-TORREGROSA, Dr.

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE VALENCIA

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Podologia Avançada

Granollers, Barcelona, Spain

Site Status

Clinica Mayral foot center

Barcelona, Barcelon, Spain

Site Status

Clinica Pasito a pasito

Valencia, Valencia, Spain

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Spain

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Cychosz CC, Phisitkul P, Belatti DA, Glazebrook MA, DiGiovanni CW. Gastrocnemius recession for foot and ankle conditions in adults: Evidence-based recommendations. Foot Ankle Surg. 2015 Jun;21(2):77-85. doi: 10.1016/j.fas.2015.02.001. Epub 2015 Feb 26.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25937405 (View on PubMed)

DiGiovanni CW, Kuo R, Tejwani N, Price R, Hansen ST Jr, Cziernecki J, Sangeorzan BJ. Isolated gastrocnemius tightness. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2002 Jun;84(6):962-70. doi: 10.2106/00004623-200206000-00010.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 12063330 (View on PubMed)

Barouk P, Barouk LS. Clinical diagnosis of gastrocnemius tightness. Foot Ankle Clin. 2014 Dec;19(4):659-67. doi: 10.1016/j.fcl.2014.08.004. Epub 2014 Sep 26.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25456715 (View on PubMed)

Maluf KS, Mueller MJ, Strube MJ, Engsberg JR, Johnson JE. Tendon Achilles lengthening for the treatment of neuropathic ulcers causes a temporary reduction in forefoot pressure associated with changes in plantar flexor power rather than ankle motion during gait. J Biomech. 2004 Jun;37(6):897-906. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2003.10.009.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15111077 (View on PubMed)

STRAYER LM Jr. Recession of the gastrocnemius; an operation to relieve spastic contracture of the calf muscles. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1950 Jul;32-A(3):671-6. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15428491 (View on PubMed)

Kindred KB, Kapsalis AP, Adams WJE, Miller JM, Blacklidge DK, Elliott BG, Hoffman SM. The Role of the Plantaris in Intramuscular Gastrocnemius Equinus Correction. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2023 Mar-Apr;62(2):272-274. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2022.07.006. Epub 2022 Jul 30.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36096902 (View on PubMed)

Hickey B, Lee J, Stephen J, Antflick J, Calder J. It is possible to release the plantaris tendon under ultrasound guidance: a technical description of ultrasound guided plantaris tendon release (UPTR) in the treatment of non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2019 Sep;27(9):2858-2862. doi: 10.1007/s00167-019-05451-0. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30847522 (View on PubMed)

Moroni S, Fernandez-Gibello A, Nieves GC, Montes R, Zwierzina M, Vazquez T, Garcia-Escudero M, Duparc F, Moriggl B, Konschake M. Anatomical basis of a safe mini-invasive technique for lengthening of the anterior gastrocnemius aponeurosis. Surg Radiol Anat. 2021 Jan;43(1):53-61. doi: 10.1007/s00276-020-02536-1. Epub 2020 Jul 23.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32705404 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

UCV/2022-2023/155

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.