Evaluation of sonoelastography in Achilles tendon of healthy volunteers and patients with symptomatic Achilles tendon

Aim and objectives: To assess the role of SEL in evaluation of Achilles tendon. Methodology: This study included 40 healthy volunteers and 40 patients with symptomatic Achilles tendon. All patients were examined by conventional B-mode ultrasound, sonoelastography and MRI. Results: Achilles tendons of the volunteers were characterized by hard texture with higher strain ratios than those of the patients with Achilles tendinopathy. No significant differences could be detected between SR of male and female volunteers yet significant differences could be detected in the volunteer group above and below forty being lower with softer tendon properties in the group above forty with a cut-off value of ≤1.84 between healthy and diseased group. Sonoelastography had the sensitivity of 89.1% and specificity of 96.1% for diagnosis of tendinopathy with results superior to those of conventional B-mode ultrasonography. Conclusion: SEL is a reliable tool in the evaluation of Achilles tendinopathy with sensitivity and specificity superior to B-mode US. Strain ratio provides excellent non-invasive diagnostic data adds strongly in more objective evaluation of Achilles tendon properties.