Brooke K Coombes1, Brandon Ziegenfuss2, Michael David3,4, Rohitha Badya2, Wolbert van den Hoorn5, François Hug5,6,7, Kylie Tucker2. 1. School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia. b.coombes@uq.edu.au. 2. School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia. 3. School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia. 4. School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, 2308, Australia. 5. NHMRC Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia. 6. Laboratory "Movement, Interactions, Performance" (EA 4334), University of Nantes, 44000, Nantes, France. 7. Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare regional elastic properties between anterior and posterior regions of the patellar tendon, and individual quadriceps muscles, over a range of knee flexion angles. METHODS: An isokinetic dynamometer passively positioned the non-dominant knee of 19 young, healthy participants, at 25°, 40°, 55°, 70° and 85° flexion. Shear wave velocity (SWV, an index of tissue elasticity) was measured using ultrasound shear wave elastography in a relaxed (passive) state, confirmed by electromyography. RESULTS: SWV of the patellar tendon and quadriceps muscles increased with knee flexion (longer muscle-tendon unit; P < 0.001). Within the proximal third of the patellar tendon, SWV was lower in the posterior than anterior region at 70° (P = 0.002) and 85° (P < 0.001), but not at 25°, 40° or 55° (region-by-angle interaction, P = 0.007). No differences were found between anterior and posterior regions within the middle third of the patellar tendon (P = 0.332). For the quadriceps muscles, a significant muscle-by-angle (P < 0.001) interaction was also observed. SWV of VL was greater than VM at 55° (P = 0.005), 70° (P = 0.001) and 85° (P < 0.001), but not at 25° or 40°. SWV of RF was lower than VL at all angles (all P < 0.002) and lower than VM at 55°, 70° and 85° (all P < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Passive knee flexion at and beyond 70° was associated with non-uniform elastic properties within the proximal patellar tendon and between individual quadriceps muscles. To what extent this heterogeneity of passive elastic properties contributes to injury remains unknown.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare regional elastic properties between anterior and posterior regions of the patellar tendon, and individual quadriceps muscles, over a range of knee flexion angles. METHODS: An isokinetic dynamometer passively positioned the non-dominant knee of 19 young, healthy participants, at 25°, 40°, 55°, 70° and 85° flexion. Shear wave velocity (SWV, an index of tissue elasticity) was measured using ultrasound shear wave elastography in a relaxed (passive) state, confirmed by electromyography. RESULTS: SWV of the patellar tendon and quadriceps muscles increased with knee flexion (longer muscle-tendon unit; P < 0.001). Within the proximal third of the patellar tendon, SWV was lower in the posterior than anterior region at 70° (P = 0.002) and 85° (P < 0.001), but not at 25°, 40° or 55° (region-by-angle interaction, P = 0.007). No differences were found between anterior and posterior regions within the middle third of the patellar tendon (P = 0.332). For the quadriceps muscles, a significant muscle-by-angle (P < 0.001) interaction was also observed. SWV of VL was greater than VM at 55° (P = 0.005), 70° (P = 0.001) and 85° (P < 0.001), but not at 25° or 40°. SWV of RF was lower than VL at all angles (all P < 0.002) and lower than VM at 55°, 70° and 85° (all P < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Passive knee flexion at and beyond 70° was associated with non-uniform elastic properties within the proximal patellar tendon and between individual quadriceps muscles. To what extent this heterogeneity of passive elastic properties contributes to injury remains unknown.
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