Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of sonoelastography to show muscle
stiffness in poststroke spasticity, as well as the relationship between
sonoelastography findings and muscle architecture features and clinical
spasticity scores in the spastic gastrocnemius.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
SETTING: University rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 26 stroke
patients with gastrocnemius muscle spasticity (>/=1 using the Modified Ashworth
Scale score). INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOMES: Sonoelastography parameters
(elasticity index and elasticity ratio) and muscle architecture features (muscle
fascicle length, fascicle pennation angle, muscle thickness and compressibility)
were measured from the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle on both the
affected and unaffected sides. RESULTS: Both the elasticity index and elasticity
ratio on the affected side were significantly increased in both the medial and
lateral gastrocnemius compared with those on the unaffected side (P < .05). Of
the muscle architecture parameters, the compressibility in the medial and lateral
gastrocnemius and the fascicle pennation angle in the lateral gastrocnemius were
significantly decreased on the affected side (P < .05). There was no significant
difference in other parameters between the affected and unaffected side (P >
.05). Sonoelastographic findings showed a weak negative correlation with
compressibility and a weak positive correlation with the Modified Ashworth Scale
score in the spastic medial gastrocnemius. CONCLUSIONS: It was found to be
feasible to assess stiffness in spastic gastrocnemius muscles of stroke patients
with sonoelastography. Further studies are needed to confirm the potential role
of sonoelastography to help guide treatment of spasticity and its sequelae.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS