Normative Achilles and patellar tendon shear wave speeds and loading patterns during walking in typically developing...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Pediatric Gait Analysis
• Musculoskeletal Research

Background:

• Gait disorders in children with cerebral palsy are often assessed using motion analysis.
• Inferring muscle-tendon forces from joint kinetics alone is challenging.
• Shear wave tensiometry offers a novel method to directly measure tendon forces during dynamic activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the modulation of Achilles and patellar tendon forces with varying walking speeds in typically developing children.
• To establish normative data for tendon loading during gait using shear wave tensiometry.
• To explore the potential of this technique for identifying abnormal tendon loading in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

• Twelve typically developing children (9-16 years old) participated.
• Shear wave tensiometers were placed on Achilles and patellar tendons.
• Tendon wave speeds were recorded at five normalized walking speeds.
• Tendon forces were estimated using a calibrated wave speed-load relationship.

Main Results:

• Achilles and patellar tendon forces exhibited two peaks per gait cycle.
• Peak Achilles tendon force aligned with push-off, with less speed modulation.
• A second, speed-dependent Achilles loading peak occurred in late swing.
• Patellar tendon loading peaks corresponded to knee extension moments and increased with walking speed.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first characterization of Achilles and patellar tendon loading during gait in children using shear wave tensiometry.
• The findings establish normative tendon force data across different walking speeds.
• These normative data can aid in identifying aberrant tendon loading patterns in pediatric gait disorders.