ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2024
Correlation between MRI findings and functional outcomes in patients with calf muscle strain injuries: a retrospective study on 78 patients.
Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Analysis of the clinical and MRI characteristics associated with tennis leg.Skeletal radiology · 2026Article
- Real-time shear wave elastography and high-frequency ultrasound in the assessment of treatment outcomes for triceps surae muscle injury.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2026Article
- Flexor Digitorum Longus Strain in a Spinal Cord Injury Patient: A Case Report of a Rare Diagnosis.Cureus · 2026Article
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6 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundCalf muscle strain injuries (CMSI), also known as "tennis leg," are frequently observed in middle-aged and physically active people, including non-professional athletes. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is frequently used to assess the extent of these injuries, the relationship between MRI findings and long-term functional outcomes in non-athletic populations remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between MRI-detected injury severity and functional outcomes using the Achilles Tendon Rupture Score (ATRS) and the Tegner Activity Scale (TAS).
methodsA retrospective review was conducted on 78 non-athletic patients diagnosed with CMSI and were followed for an average of 25.6 ± 16.1 months. Injury severity was classified into three grades: Grade 1 (edema without architectural disruption), Grade 2 (partial muscle disruption with hematoma), and Grade 3 (complete muscle disruption or tendon detachment) based on MRI examination. The functional outcomes were assessed using the ATRS and TAS. A simple linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the impact of demographic variables and MRI findings on ATRS.
resultsThe mean ATRS at the final follow-up was 92.9 ± 10.6, with 75.6% of patients achieving an excellent outcome. Despite the excellent ATRS scores, a notable reduction in TAS was evident from the pre-injury assessment (4.4 ± 1.2) to the final follow-up (3.8 ± 1.3; p < 0.001). Moreover, 44.9% of patients did not resume their pre-injury activity levels. The regression analysis demonstrated no statistically significant correlation between MRI-detected injury severity, demographic factors (age, gender, BMI), and ATRS outcomes (R² = 0.094, adjusted R² = -0.011).
conclusionMRI-detected injury severity does not significantly predict long-term functional outcomes in patients with CMSI, even though most patients achieved excellent ATRS scores. However, nearly half of the patients did not return to their pre-injury activity levels. These findings suggest that additional factors might influence recovery, and further research is needed to elucidate these factors in non-athletic patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Retrospective case series.
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