Evaluation of the morphometric features of Achilles tendon with tendinopathy: an MRI study

Abstract

Objectives: The Achilles tendon, the biggest tendon in the body, transmits the mechanical force received from the body to the ankle through the calcaneus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of morphometric characteristics of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles that make up the Achilles tendon on tendinopathy by MRI. Methods: Foot magnetic resonance images of 128 patients (121 males and 107 females) were retrospectively analyzed. The cases were divided into two groups, the tendinopathy group and the control group. The length and the thickness of the Achilles tendon and the distance of the maximum thickness from the calcaneal insertion were measured in both groups and evaluated for differences between the groups and between genders.Results: In the comparison between genders, the thickness of the Achilles tendon and the distance of the maximum thickness to the calcaneal insertion were higher in males than in females. The length and the thickness of the Achilles tendon was significantly increased in the tendinopathy group compared to the control group. Conclusion: In this study, we investigated the relationship between Achilles tendinopathy and the morphometric properties of the muscles forming the Achilles tendon. The results of our study showed that Achilles tendon length and tendon thickness increased in patients with tendinopathy compared to the control group.