Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-3-2020

Publication Title

BMC Medical Imaging

Volume

20

First page number:

1

Last page number:

5

Abstract

Background: Individuals post-stroke walk slowly and with more effort, which puts them at higher risks for falls. The slow walking speed results from insufficient propulsive forces generated by the paretic leg. Current rehabilitative efforts to improve walking function target increasing propulsive forces, but overlook the muscle-tendon unit. Case presentations: Two individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis are presented. In both individuals post-stroke, paretic ankle plantarflexors presented with increased muscle tone. Gait kinetics revealed asymmetric propulsive forces, specifically, insufficient propulsive forces by the paretic legs, consistent with previous literature. Sonography revealed increased thickness of paretic Achilles tendon at the calcaneal insertion, in both stroke cases, in contrast to comparable Achilles tendon thickness between limbs in the non-neurologically impaired controls. Conclusion: Tendon unit integrity should be considered in individuals post-stroke who demonstrate abnormal muscle tone and insufficient propulsion during gait.

Keywords

Post-stroke hemiparesis; Walking speed; Sonography; Achilles tendon; Case report

Disciplines

Physical Therapy

File Format

pdf

File Size

1.173 KB

Language

English

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