ArticleBMJ open sport & exercise medicine2018
Objective assessment of stiffness in Achilles tendinopathy: a novel approach using the MyotonPRO.
Article in BMJ open sport & exercise medicine, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 32 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
32 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 44 citations in OpenAlex.
- Evaluating the Reliability of MyotonPro in Assessing Muscle Properties: A Systematic Review of Diagnostic Test Accuracy.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2024Pooled it
- Objective Assessment of Regional Stiffness in Achilles Tendon in Different Ankle Joint Positions Using the MyotonPRO.Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research · 2020Trial
- Assessment of masseter and temporalis muscle properties in healthy young adults using shear wave elastography and MyotonPRO.Surgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA · 2026Article
- Acute Effects of High-Speed Repetitive Loading on Achilles Tendon Viscoelasticity and Ankle Agonist-Antagonist Co-Contraction: A Combined MyotonPRO and Surface Electromyography Analysis in Male Collegiate American Football Players.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2026Article
- Development of a multi-point mapping protocol for myotonometric assessment: a methodological pilot study.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Monitoring Patellar Tendon Stiffness in Relation to Load, Function and Pain.Sports medicine international open · 2026Article
- Review of Methods for Evaluating Changes in the Tension and Properties of the Gluteus Medius Muscle (GMED) and the Tensor Fascia Latae (TFL) as a Result of Hip Osteoarthritis (HOA) and After Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA)-Could MyotonPRO Assessment Be the New Standard?Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Review
- Treatment of Ochronotic Osteoarthropathy and the Evaluation of Selected Lower Limb Muscle Properties, Including the Patellar Tendon: A Case Report and Mini Literature Review.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
- Assessing the Test-Retest Reliability of MyotonPRO for Measuring Achilles Tendon Stiffness.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2025Article
- Differences in stiffness across the patellar tendon: An observational study using tendotonometry.PloS one · 2025Observational
- Functional Rehabilitation for Medial Gastrocnemius Silent Contractures to Prevent Foot and Ankle Disorders: A Review.Muscles (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Review
- The Myometric Assessment of Achilles Tendon and Soleus Muscle Stiffness before and after a Standardized Exercise Test in Elite Female Volleyball and Handball Athletes-A Quasi-Experimental Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2024Article
- Dose Escalation Can Enhance the Therapeutic Potential of Radial Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Therapy in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis in Runners.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2024Article
- Muscle stiffness indicating mission crew health in space.Scientific reports · 2024Article
- Observational
- The Differences in Parameters in Ultrasound Imaging and Biomechanical Properties of the Quadriceps Femoris with Unilateral Knee Osteoarthritis in the Elderly: A Preliminary Observational Study.Clinical interventions in aging · 2024Observational
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- Article
- The Utility of Myotonometry in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation and Human Performance Programming.Journal of athletic training · 2023Review
- Intra-Rater and Inter-Rater Reliability Analysis of Muscle-Tone Evaluation Using a Myotonometer for Children with Developmental Disabilities.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesThe aim of this study was to establish quantitative values for asymptomatic and symptomatic Achilles tendons.
designCohort study with a single (cross-sectional) time point of patients diagnosed with unilateral Achilles tendinopathy and an asymptomatic group with comparative homogeneity.
methodsA sample of 50 participants: 25 diagnosed with symptomatic unilateral Achilles tendinopathy (AT group) and 25 with asymptomatic Achilles tendons (control group 2). The asymptomatic side of the AT group was used as a control (control group 1). Measurements at 2 cm intervals on the tendon from its insertion at the calcaneum up to the musculotendinous junction were taken non-weight bearing (NWB) and weight bearing (WB) using the MyotonPRO.
resultsThere was a significant (p<0.005) decrease in natural oscillation frequency (F) at points 2, 3 and 4 of the AT group (NWB condition) and points 2 and 3 for the WB condition. There was a significant (p<0.005) increase in logarithmic decrement (D) at points 2 and 3 signifying a decrease in elasticity. Dynamic stiffness (S) was significantly (p<0.005) reduced in the AT group at points 2 and 3 WB and point 3 WB. There was no significant difference in creep (C) observed between the symptomatic and asymptomatic tendons. There was a significant (p<0.005) increase in mechanical stress relaxation time (R) at point 2 NWB.There was a correlation between body weight and gender on tendon mechanics, with the symptomatic tendons. No significant differences were observed between the control group 1 and control group 2.
conclusionsThe MyotonPRO measured decreased stiffness over a section of the tendon corresponding clinically with Achilles tendinopathy. This may have potential in identifying risk of injury and informing rehabilitation, however further extensive research is required to generate baseline data for specific population groups monitoring variables over time. Age, gender and body mass index appear to have some bearing on the mechanical properties of the tendon but mainly in the tendinopathy group.
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