DOS 2016

DOS Kongressen 2016 ·

105

Development and reliability of the Achilles Tendon

Length Measure and comparison with the Achilles

Tendon Resting Angle on patients with an Achilles

tendon rupture

Maria Swennergren Hansen, Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod, Morten Tange

Kristensen

Department of Physiotherapy, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre;

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Clinical Orthopaedic Research Hvidovre;

Department of Physiotherapy and Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University

Hospital Hvidovre

Background:

A prolonged Achilles Tendon (AT) following AT rupture is associ-

ated with strength deficits and reduced function. The first three months after

injury have been identified as the time when the main changes of the AT length

occur. Therefore a valid, reliable, and easily applicable clinical measure of the

length of the AT that can be used during this time period after rupture is needed.

Purpose / Aim of Study:

To examine the reliability of a new ruler based meas-

urement, the Achilles Tendon Length Measure (ATLM) in comparison with the

goniometer-based Achilles Tendon Resting Angle (ATRA).

Materials and Methods:

The development of ATLM originates from the well-

known Matles test. The ATLM use identical positioning of the patient and feet,

but aim to provide an objective assessment by measuring the exact distance

between the feet and the examination couch with a ruler. As well as ATRA, the

resting position of the feet is measured during ATLM as an indirect measure

of the length of the AT. ATLM and ATRA measurements were performed by

two independent physiotherapists eight weeks after AT rupture on 28 patients

treated non- operatively. The data assessors were inter- and intra-rater blinded

to outcome data.

Findings / Results:

The mean (SD) injured ATLM was 56.5 (2.3) cm, ICC2.1

0.91(CI [0.72-0.97]), SEM 0.7cm (SEM% 1.2), MDC 1.9cm (MDC% 3.4).

Corresponding data for the injured ATRA was mean 64.4° (3.9°), ICC2.1 0.84

(CI [0.68-0-92]), SEM 1.5° (SEM% 2.4), MDC 4.3° (MDC% 6.6).

Conclusions:

Both ATLM and ATRA showed excellent inter-rater reliability with

low measurement error. Both measurements seem easy to use in clinical prac-

tice and potentially providing an indirect measure of the length of the AT after

rupture.

No conflicts of interest reported

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