Brief report : Passive mechanical properties of gastrocnemius in multiple sclerosis and ankle contracture

Journal article


Hoang, Phu D., Psarakis, Michael, Kwah, Li Khim, Clarke, Jillian L., Gandevia, Simon C. and Diong, Joanna. (2021). Brief report : Passive mechanical properties of gastrocnemius in multiple sclerosis and ankle contracture. Clinical Biomechanics. 84, p. Article 105338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2021.105338
AuthorsHoang, Phu D., Psarakis, Michael, Kwah, Li Khim, Clarke, Jillian L., Gandevia, Simon C. and Diong, Joanna
Abstract

Background
Ankle contracture is common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) but the mechanisms of contracture are not clear. This study aimed to identify the mechanisms of contracture in MS by comparing passive muscle length and stiffness at known tension, separated into contributions by muscle fascicles and tendons, between people with MS who had contracture and healthy people.

Methods
Passive length-tension curves of the gastrocnemius muscle-tendon unit were derived from passive ankle torque and angle using a published biomechanical method. Ultrasound images of medial gastrocnemius muscle fascicles were used to partition length-tension curves into fascicle and tendon components. Lengths and stiffness of the muscle-tendon unit, muscle fascicles and tendons were compared between groups with linear regression.

Findings
Data were obtained from 15 participants with MS who had contracture [age 53 (12) years, mean (SD)] and 25 healthy participants [48 (20) years]. Participants with MS had clinically significant ankle contracture, and had shorter fascicles at slack length (between-groups mean difference −0.8 cm, 95% CI −1.2 to −0.4 cm, p < 0.001) and at 100 N (−0.7 cm, 95% CI −1.3 to −0.1 cm, p = 0.02) compared to healthy participants. There were no differences between groups in all other outcomes.

Interpretation
Tension-referenced comparisons of passive muscle length and stiffness show that people with MS who had contracture had shorter fascicles at low and high tension compared to healthy people, but there were no changes to the muscle-tendon unit or tendon. Further studies are needed to identify the causes and mechanisms of contracture in neurological conditions.

Keywordsankle; range of motion; muscle tendon unit; slack length; ultrasound; muscle fascicles; contracture
Year2021
JournalClinical Biomechanics
Journal citation84, p. Article 105338
PublisherElsevier Ltd
ISSN0268-0033
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2021.105338
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85105006311
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range1-5
FunderAustralian Research Council (ARC)
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online23 Mar 2021
Publication process dates
Accepted19 Mar 2021
Deposited09 Nov 2021
ARC Funded ResearchThis output has been funded, wholly or partially, under the Australian Research Council Act 2001
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