Ultrasound-Based Tendon Micromorphology Predicts Mechanical Characteristics of Degenerated Tendons

Ultrasound Med Biol. 2016 Mar;42(3):664-73. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2015.11.013. Epub 2015 Dec 21.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between tendon micro-morphology quantified from a sonogram and tendon mechanical characteristics measured in vivo. Nineteen adults (nine with unilateral Achilles tendinosis) participated. A commercial ultrasound scanner was used to capture longitudinal B-mode ultrasound images from the mid-portion of bilateral Achilles tendons and a custom image analysis program was used to analyze the spatial frequency content of manually defined regions of interest; in particular, the average peak spatial frequency of the regions of interest was acquired. In addition, a dynamometer and a motion analysis system indirectly measured the tendon mechanical (stiffness) and material (elastic modulus) properties. The peak spatial frequency correlated with tendon stiffness (r = 0.74, p = 0.02) and elastic modulus (r = 0.65, p = 0.05) in degenerated tendons, but not healthy tendons. This is the first study relating the mechanical characteristics of degenerated human Achilles tendon using a non-invasive micro-morphology analysis approach.

Keywords: Elastic modulus; Stiffness; Tendon mechanics; Tissue imaging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Achilles Tendon / diagnostic imaging*
  • Achilles Tendon / physiopathology*
  • Algorithms
  • Computer Simulation
  • Elastic Modulus
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Biological
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Tendinopathy / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tendinopathy / physiopathology*
  • Tensile Strength
  • Ultrasonography / methods*