He Xuan, Wei Xin, Hou Jia, Tan Wei, Luo Ping
Department of Functional Examination, Sichuan Province Orthopedic Hospital, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
World J Clin Cases. 2024 Sep 16;12(26):5922-5929. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i26.5922.
Real-time shear wave elastography (SWE) is a non-invasive imaging technique used to measure tissue stiffness by generating and tracking shear waves in real time. This advanced ultrasound-based method provides quantitative information regarding tissue elasticity, offering valuable insights into the mechanical properties of biological tissues. However, the application of real-time SWE in the musculoskeletal system and sports medicine has not been extensively studied.
To explore the practical value of real-time SWE for assessing Achilles tendon hardness in older adults.
A total of 60 participants were enrolled in the present study, and differences in the elastic moduli of the bilateral Achilles tendons were compared among the following categories: (1) Age: 55-60, 60-65, and 65-70-years-old; (2) Sex: Male and female; (3) Laterality: Left and right sides; (4) Tendon state: Relaxed and tense state; and (5) Tendon segment: Proximal, middle, and distal.
There were no significant differences in the elastic moduli of the bilateral Achilles tendons when comparing by age or sex ( > 0.05). There were, however, significant differences when comparing by tendon side, state, or segment ( < 0.05).
Real-time SWE plays a significant role compared to other examination methods in the evaluation of Achilles tendon hardness in older adults.
实时剪切波弹性成像（SWE）是一种非侵入性成像技术，通过实时生成和跟踪剪切波来测量组织硬度。这种基于超声的先进方法提供了有关组织弹性的定量信息，为了解生物组织的力学特性提供了有价值的见解。然而，实时SWE在肌肉骨骼系统和运动医学中的应用尚未得到广泛研究。
探讨实时SWE评估老年人跟腱硬度的实用价值。
本研究共纳入60名参与者，比较双侧跟腱弹性模量在以下类别中的差异：（1）年龄：55 - 60岁、60 - 65岁和65 - 70岁；（2）性别：男性和女性；（3）左右侧：左侧和右侧；（4）肌腱状态：松弛和紧张状态；（5）肌腱节段：近端、中间和远端。
按年龄或性别比较时，双侧跟腱弹性模量无显著差异（> 0.05）。然而，按肌腱侧、状态或节段比较时存在显著差异（< 0.05）。
与其他检查方法相比，实时SWE在评估老年人跟腱硬度方面发挥着重要作用。
