Plantarflexor muscle function in healthy and chronic Achilles tendon pain subjects evaluated by the use of EMG and PET imaging.
BACKGROUND
Achilles tendon pathologies may alter the coordinative strategies of synergistic calf muscles. We hypothesized that both surface electromyography and positron emission tomography would reveal differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic legs in Achilles tendinopathy patients and between healthy controls.


METHODS
Eleven subjects with unilateral chronic Achilles tendon pain (28 years) and eleven matched controls (28 years) were studied for triceps surae and flexor hallucis longus muscle activity in response to repetitive isometric plantarflexion tasks performed at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction using surface electromyography and glucose uptake using positron emission tomography. Additionally, Achilles tendon glucose uptake was quantified.


RESULTS
Normalized myoelectric activity of soleus was higher (P<0.05) in the symptomatic leg versus the contralateral and control legs despite lower absolute force level maintained (P<0.005). Electromyography amplitude of flexor hallucis longus was also greater on the symptomatic side compared to the healthy leg (P<0.05). Both the symptomatic and asymptomatic legs tended to have higher glucose uptake compared to the control legs (overall effect size: 0.9 and 1.3, respectively). Achilles tendon glucose uptake was greater in both legs of the patient group (P<0.05) compared to controls. Maximal plantarflexion force was ~14% greater in the healthier leg compared to the injured leg in the patient group.


CONCLUSIONS
While the electromyography showed greater relative amplitude in the symptomatic leg, the results based on muscle glucose uptake suggested relatively similar behavior of both legs in the patient group. Higher glucose uptake in the symptomatic Achilles tendon suggests a higher metabolic demand.
Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Electronic address: tahir.masood@jyu.fi.
Tahir
T
Masood
Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Finland. Electronic address: Kari.Kalliokoski@tyks.fi.
Kari
K
Kalliokoski
Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Dept. Ortopaedic Surgery M, Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark; Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: jens.bojsen-moller@nih.no.
Jens
J
Bojsen-Møller
Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Dept. Ortopaedic Surgery M, Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark; Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: spmagnusson@gmail.com.
S Peter
SP
Magnusson
Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Electronic address: taija.finni@jyu.fi.
Taija
T
Finni
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D063806:Myalgia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
D005947:Glucose
Achilles tendon; Biomechanics; Glucose uptake; Tendinopathy; Triceps surae; [(18)F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose