Begin by performing ultrasound recordings before measurement. To measure gastrocnemius tendon length, open the longer extended field of view tendon image. Measure from the most proximal point of the tendon insertion.
That is, the proximal calcaneal notch to the gastrocnemius myotendinous junction. Next, open the shorter extended field of view tendon image to measure the soleus tendon length. Measure from the proximal calcaneal notch to the soleus myotendinous junction.
Then, measure from the proximal calcaneal notch to two centimeters, with the end of the measurement on the deep border of the tendon. Measure from this point to the direct superficial aspect of the tendon to get the two centimeter tendon thickness. In the case of achilles tendinopathy, if the tendon is thickened at this two centimeter distance, locate a healthy area in the free tendon and take this measurement from the proximal calcaneal notch.
Next, visually identify the borders of the achilles tendon and outline the circumference of the tendon to measure the tendon cross-sectional area. At the center of the image, measure the achilles tendon from the superficial border to the deep border of the tendon to get the tendon thickness. Also, measure from the superficial border to the deep border of the soleus muscle to get the soleus thickness.
Further, to measure the gastrocnemius cross-sectional area, visualize the borders of both the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius and outline them. Demographics of the dataset showed that the individuals post achilles tendon rupture had a lesser proportion of females, whereas the individuals with achilles tendinopathy had an even distribution of males and females. Further, the age of healthy participants was lesser than those with achilles tendinopathy and achilles tendon rupture.
Healthy participants showed an achilles tendon mean thickness of 0.47 centimeters and CSA of 0.58 centimeter squared. There were no significant differences between the limbs and achilles tendon length measures for healthy individuals. However, for individuals with achilles tendinopathy, thicker tendons with larger CSA were observed compared to asymptomatic limbs.
Also, individuals post achilles tendon rupture showed achilles tendon elongation and larger achilles tendon CSA in the involved limb compared to the uninvolved limb.
