Use of Ultrasonography for Measuring Achilles Tendon Thickness: a Novel Measurement Method

NCT ID: NCT06867211

Last Updated: 2025-03-10

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

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Total Enrollment

180 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-09-19

Study Completion Date

2024-10-20

Brief Summary

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Background: Achilles tendon thickness has been associated with various diseases. Among imaging modalities, ultrasonography stands out because of its advantages in assessing Achilles tendon thickness. Previous studies typically recommend performing Achilles tendon ultrasonography with the patient in a prone position on an examination table. However, because it is not always possible or safe for each patient to assume the prone position, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between measurements obtained in the supine position and those obtained using the standard method.

Methods: A total of 180 healthy volunteers aged ≥18 years (70 female and 110 male; 360 Achilles tendons), with no history of disease or medication use, were included in the study. Achilles tendon measurements (thickness, width, and cross-sectional area) were obtained via ultrasonography in four different positions, including the standard method. The alternative methods included the supine position with the leg extended (Method 2), the supine position with the ankle resting on the opposite knee (Method 3), and the supine position with the leg held in the air at 90 degrees of hip and knee flexion (Method 4). Measurements were taken 2 cm distal from the Achilles tendon insertion on the calcaneus.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Achilles Tendon Emergency Medicine Ultrasonography

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

CASE_ONLY

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

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Use of Ultrasonography for Measuring Achilles Tendon Thickness

Use of Ultrasonography for Measuring Achilles Tendon Thickness

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Achilles tendon ultrasonography was performed on healthy volunteers included in the study by an emergency physician trained in both basic and advanced ultrasonography techniques. Measurements were conducted using a Butterfly iQ (Butterfly Network, Inc., Guilford, CT) ultrasound device in B-mode with a musculoskeletal preset, using biplane imaging. For Achilles tendon measurement, the image depth was set to 2.0 cm. A linear probe was placed longitudinally and perpendicular to the tendon. The distal portion of the Achilles tendon and the calcaneus were visualized in the long axis, whereas the short axis was used to center the Achilles tendon on the screen for an optimal measurement view. The measurement site was determined as 2 cm proximal to the Achilles tendon insertion at the calcaneus. In biplane imaging, Achilles tendon thickness was measured in the long axis, whereas thickness, width, and cross-sectional area were measured in the short axis. Measurements were performed bilaterally

Interventions

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Use of Ultrasonography for Measuring Achilles Tendon Thickness

Achilles tendon ultrasonography was performed on healthy volunteers included in the study by an emergency physician trained in both basic and advanced ultrasonography techniques. Measurements were conducted using a Butterfly iQ (Butterfly Network, Inc., Guilford, CT) ultrasound device in B-mode with a musculoskeletal preset, using biplane imaging. For Achilles tendon measurement, the image depth was set to 2.0 cm. A linear probe was placed longitudinally and perpendicular to the tendon. The distal portion of the Achilles tendon and the calcaneus were visualized in the long axis, whereas the short axis was used to center the Achilles tendon on the screen for an optimal measurement view. The measurement site was determined as 2 cm proximal to the Achilles tendon insertion at the calcaneus. In biplane imaging, Achilles tendon thickness was measured in the long axis, whereas thickness, width, and cross-sectional area were measured in the short axis. Measurements were performed bilaterally

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Healthy volunteers aged \>18 years who agreed to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

* Individuals with tenosynovitis, tendinitis, bursitis, tuberculous arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, a history of Achilles tendon surgery, or tendon injuries.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Sakarya University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Necip Gökhan Güner

Assistant Professor, MD

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Sakarya Training and Research Hospital

Sakarya, Adapazarı, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

References

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Sharifaskari A, Goodarzi A, Davoody N, Kianmehr N, Sepyani A, Haghighi A. Sonographic assessment of Achilles tendon in patients with cutaneous psoriasis. Caspian J Intern Med. 2024 Spring;15(2):313-317. doi: 10.22088/cjim.15.2.313.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 38807726 (View on PubMed)

Tharwat S, Saleh M, Elrefaey R, Nassar MK, Nassar MK. Clinical and Ultrasonographic Characteristics of the Achilles Tendon in Hemodialysis Patients. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Dec 15;59(12):2181. doi: 10.3390/medicina59122181.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 38138284 (View on PubMed)

Silbernagel KG, Shelley K, Powell S, Varrecchia S. Extended field of view ultrasound imaging to evaluate Achilles tendon length and thickness: a reliability and validity study. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2016 May 19;6(1):104-10. doi: 10.11138/mltj/2016.6.1.104. eCollection 2016 Jan-Mar.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27331037 (View on PubMed)

Del Bano-Aledo ME, Martinez-Paya JJ, Rios-Diaz J, Mejias-Suarez S, Serrano-Carmona S, de Groot-Ferrando A. Ultrasound measures of tendon thickness: Intra-rater, Inter-rater and Inter-machine reliability. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2017 May 10;7(1):192-199. doi: 10.11138/mltj/2017.7.1.192. eCollection 2017 Jan-Mar.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28717629 (View on PubMed)

Yuzawa K, Yamakawa K, Tohno E, Seki M, Akisada M, Yanagi H, Okafuji T, Yamanouchi Y, Hattori N, Kawai K, et al. An ultrasonographic method for detection of Achilles tendon xanthomas in familial hypercholesterolemia. Atherosclerosis. 1989 Feb;75(2-3):211-8. doi: 10.1016/0021-9150(89)90178-0.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 2653326 (View on PubMed)

Steinmetz A, Schmitt W, Schuler P, Kleinsorge F, Schneider J, Kaffarnik H. Ultrasonography of achilles tendons in primary hypercholesterolemia. Comparison with computed tomography. Atherosclerosis. 1988 Dec;74(3):231-9. doi: 10.1016/0021-9150(88)90242-0.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 3071370 (View on PubMed)

Murugan A, Kanakaraju K, R M S, Sanjoy Mishra V. Achilles Tendon Softness and Thickness in Patients With Hypercholesterolemia. Cureus. 2022 Aug 24;14(8):e28340. doi: 10.7759/cureus.28340. eCollection 2022 Aug.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36168354 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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43012747-050.04-399468-15

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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