Achilles Tendons Measurements in Asymptomatic Saudi Subjects Using High Frequency Ultrasound

Abstract

Summary form only given. Ultrasound is an excellent modality for initial imaging of suspected Achilles tendon pathology because of patient comfort during the examination, availability, and accuracy of the test in expert hands. This study was designed with an aim to measure Achilles tendons length, thickness, and cross sectional area in asymptomatic Saudi subjects to investigate possible changes of these measurements with different ages. A Hundred asymptomatic male between the ages of 14 and 65 years, mean age of 25±1.7 years were scanned. Ultrasound scans for Achilles tendons was performed using Hitachi HI Vision Avius ultrasound machine. Ultrasound scanning protocols met the standards established by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) to measure Achilles tendons length, thickness, and cross sectional area. The statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the results. In the 100 Achilles tendons, the length, thickness, and cross sectional area was 109.6 ± 2.1 mm, 4.1 ± 0.7 mm, and 53.9 ± 1.1 mm2 respectively. There is no significant difference between the length and thickness with the cross sectional area of the Achilles tendons among different ages of subjects (P ≥ 0.05). In males less than 45 years, Achilles tendons cross sectional area was significantly smaller than that in males of older age (P ≤ 0.05). Variations of the tendons morphological characteristics should be considered in the clinical diagnosis. Additional study correlates the Achilles tendons length, thickness, and cross sectional area to subject length is suggested.