Measurement of Healthy and Injured Triceps Surae Morphology

Our research focuses on trying to understand the complexities of Achilles tendon injuries, specifically Achilles tendinopathy and achilles tendon ruptures. So we evaluate various domains of tendon health, such as pain and symptoms function, tendon structure, and psychological factors to kind of comprehensively identify individual differences in injured presentation and recovery. There is a current disconnect between those assessing structure and those assessing other measure of tendon health, such as symptoms and function.

So with this protocol, in conjunction with additional evaluation methods to assess other tendon health domains, we'll provide a valuable insight into relationship between structure, function, symptoms, recovery of structure of after injury, and structural characteristics of health individuals and those with different injuries or comorbidities. The results from our lab and the use of ultrasound imaging methodology has really paved the way in recognizing the impacts of tendon elongation, the tendon healing longer after an achilles tendon rupture, and the important of minimizing this lengthening to optimize recovery. Additionally, the results have helped us really understand new scientific questions in the differences in recovery amongst patients with Achilles tendinopathy.