Assessment of forearm muscle spasticity with sonoelastography in patients with stroke.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of sonoelastography to show muscle stiffness in post-stroke spasticity, and the relationship between sonoelastography findings and clinical spasticity scores in the spastic forearm muscles.


METHODS
This study was carried out in a university rehabilitation centre. 23 patients with stroke with forearm muscle spasticity (≥1+ using the Modified Ashworth scale score and ≥1 using the Tardieu scale) were included. Sonoelastography parameters (elasticity index and elasticity ratio) were measured from the flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, flexor carpi radialis and flexor carpi ulnaris muscles on the affected and unaffected sides.


RESULTS
Both elasticity index and elasticity ratio of the wrist and finger flexors on the hemiplegic side were significantly increased compared with those on the healthy side (p < 0.05). The Tardieu angle of finger flexors was negatively correlated with the elasticity index and elasticity ratio measured in the spastic flexor digitorum profundus (r = -0.418 and r = -0.469, respectively). Tardieu angle of finger flexors was negatively correlated with the elasticity index measured in the spastic flexor digitorum superficialis (r = -0.435). There was no correlation between other parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Sonoelastography may provide objective assessment of spasticity both in diagnosis and follow-up. To strengthen this prediction, further studies are necessary. Advances in knowledge: The results of this study represent that sonoelastography is a promising evaluation method for forearm muscle spasticity.
1 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
Evren
E
Yaşar
1 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
Emre
E
Adigüzel
1 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
Serdar
S
Kesikburun
2 Penta Biomedical Engineering, Ankara, Turkey.
Itır
I
Yenihayat
1 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
Bilge
B
Yilmaz
3 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Liv Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Rıdvan
R
Alaca
1 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
Arif K
AK
Tan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
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