r rossi, j persinger, n hager, s grogan

Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the 2025 Association for Medical Ultrasound Convention in Orlando, Florida.

The current study was initiated to help inform and validate a parallel study being conducted in the same clinical setting. This was done to elucidate the normative values for routine tendon echo-characteristics, presence/absence of plantaris tendon, microvascular flow (MVF), shear-wave elastography (SWE), Power Doppler (PD), & Young’s moduli in the posterior lower leg & Achilles tendon. Both the parallel study and the current one used the Samsung RS-85 Prestige ultrasound and TeleRay Remote for image review/remote exam observation. Additionally, an EZ Exam protocol was standardized across all users and image acquisition was done exclusively by RMSK-certified staff. Imaging was obtained from the gastroc-soleus complex to the Achilles insertion with stop points at the gastrocnemius, soleus, gastroc-soleus junction (GSJ), avascular zone (AVZ), and calcaneal insertion (CI). Our findings confirmed the sensitivity of MVF at detecting flow over PD. We were able to establish normative values for both SWE and in routine Achilles tendon architecture. Additionally, plantaris tendon prevalence in our study population was found to challenge current existing literature. These findings will inform the normal state of the Achilles tendon complex & its related structures with novel ultrasound values in order to improve the diagnosis and treatment progression of musculoskeletal injuries.