Residual Eccentric Strength Deficits and Deep Scar Tissue Thickness in Patients With Tenni
This study investigates the relationship between the thickness of deep scar tissue and residual weakness in the calf muscles of patients who have recovered from a condition known as "tennis leg." Tennis leg is a common calf muscle injury caused by a partial tear of the inner part of the gastrocnemius (calf) muscle at t
| Condition(s) | Tennis Leg, Muscle Contusion |
|---|---|
| Status | Recruiting |
| Study type | Observational |
| Summary | This study investigates the relationship between the thickness of deep scar tissue and residual weakness in the calf muscles of patients who have recovered from a condition known as "tennis leg." Tennis leg is a common calf muscle injury caused by a partial tear of the inner part of the gastrocnemius (calf) muscle at the point where muscle meets tendon. While patients often return to daily activities after healing, many continue to experience hidden weakness in their calf muscles, particularly during activities that require the muscle to lengthen under load (eccentric contractions), such as walking downhill, running, or landing from a jump. This study uses diagnostic ultrasound imaging to measure the thickness of scar tissue that forms inside the muscle after injury. It also uses an isokin |
| Who can participate | Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 40 years * History of unilateral plantar flexor muscle tear (tennis leg) involving the medial gastrocnemius, confirmed by diagnostic ultrasound * Ultrasound diagnostic criteria: hypoechoic or anechoic fluid collection between the medial gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, with partial or complete disruption of the normal muscle fiber architecture at the myotendinous junction * Grade I (mild strain, \<10% fiber involvement) or Grade II (moderate partial tear, 10-90% fiber involvement) injury * At least 3 months post-injury * Clinically healed with return to daily activities * Ability to perform maximal eccentric plantar flexion as assessed by the Eccentric Heel Raise Test (Single-Leg) (Chen et al., 2009) Exclusion Criteria: * Bilateral calf injuries * |
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Lead sponsor | Al Hayah University In Cairo |
| Locations | New Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt |
| Start date | 2026-04-15 |
| NCT ID | NCT07513779 |
| Official listing | https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07513779 |