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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 9/2011

01-09-2011 | Musculoskeletal

Oedema and fatty degeneration of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles on MR images in patients with achilles tendon abnormalities

Authors: Adrienne Hoffmann, Nadja Mamisch, Florian M. Buck, Norman Espinosa, Christian W. A. Pfirrmann, Marco Zanetti

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 9/2011

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Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of oedema and fatty degeneration of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles in patients with Achilles tendon abnormalities.

Methods

Forty-five consecutive patients (mean 51 years; range 14–84 years) with achillodynia were examined with magnetic resonance (MR) images of the calf. The frequency of oedema and fatty degeneration in the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles was determined in patients with normal tendons, tendinopathy and in patients with a partial tear or a complete tear of the Achilles tendon.

Results

Oedema was encountered in 35% (7/20) of the patients with tendinopathy (n = 20; range 13–81 years), and in 47% (9/19) of the patients with partial tears or complete tears (n = 19; 28–78 years). Fatty degeneration was encountered in 10% (2/20) of the patients with tendinopathy, and in 32% (6/19) of the patients with tears. The prevalence of fatty degeneration was significantly more common in patients with a partial or complete tear compared with the patients with a normal Achilles tendon (p = 0.032 and p = 0.021, respectively).

Conclusion

Oedema and fatty degeneration of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles are common in patients with Achilles tendon abnormalities.
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Metadata
Title
Oedema and fatty degeneration of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles on MR images in patients with achilles tendon abnormalities
Authors
Adrienne Hoffmann
Nadja Mamisch
Florian M. Buck
Norman Espinosa
Christian W. A. Pfirrmann
Marco Zanetti
Publication date
01-09-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 9/2011
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2136-0

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