Intratendinous strain distribution in Achilles tendon and tendinosis.

Achilles tendinopathy is well known for its unclear pathophysiology andtroublesome management. The exact intratendinous location of the tendinosis lesion has been suggested to play an important role in Achilles tendinopathy. It is hypothesized that local intratendinous strain variability may contribute to the occurrence of tendinosis development at different locations. Local strain differences may also influence the efficacy of therapeutic exercise regimes for the Achilles tendon. So far, completemapping of the local strain distribution within the Achilles tendon hasnot been performed, primarily due to the invasiveness of the strain measurement techniques used. In a pilot study, we demonstrated the feasibility of a non-invasive method to measure local Achilles tendon strain. Weextrapolated the established technique of regional strain measurement for myocardial function using ultrasound imaging by Dhooge et al. to theAchilles tendon. It is the objective of this work to clarify the Achilles tendon strain distribution in normal tendons, to examine the effect of a tendinosis lesion on local strain distribution and assess the effectof different modalities of therapeutic exercises on local strain distribution. These results may lead to optimised preventive strategies and therapeutic regimes for Achilles tendinopathy.</></></>

Keywords:Achilles tendon, Tendinosis, Strain

Disciplines:Education curriculum, Orthopaedics, Human movement and sports sciences, Rehabilitation sciences, Surgery, Nursing

Project type:PhD project