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Updated: Apr 16, 2026
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Ultrasound Tissue Characterization of Human Achilles Tendon by Stability Quantification of Echo Patterns
Published on: September 5, 2025
764
Characterizing tendon microstructure using metrics associated with the angular dependence of ultrasound backscatter
Sarah E Wayson-Madejski1, María Helguera1,2, Carol H Raeman1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|April 15, 2026
Summary
A novel quantitative ultrasound technique effectively characterizes tendon microstructural alignment. This method detects changes in alignment due to aging and diabetes, offering non-invasive assessment of tendon health.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Musculoskeletal Research
Background:
- Tendon microstructural alignment is crucial for mechanical function.
- Diabetes and aging are known to negatively impact tendon integrity.
- Non-invasive methods are needed to assess tendon microstructure and alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a high-frequency quantitative ultrasound technique.
- To characterize tendon microstructural alignment using angular dependence of ultrasound backscatter (AIB).
- To detect microstructural alterations in tendons associated with aging and diabetes.
Main Methods:
- Obtained backscattered ultrasound echoes (58-MHz) from murine tendons, skin, and liver at 31 insonation angles.
- Computed AIB parametric images and region-of-interest AIB values.
- Defined quantitative ultrasound metrics (AIB¯N,max, ΔAIB¯N, M) based on AIB's angular dependence.
Main Results:
- AIB measurements showed angular dependence in aligned tendons, unlike skin and liver.
- Significant differences in all three AIB metrics were observed in aged wild-type and young diabetic tendons compared to young wild-type tendons.
- Reduced scattering strength and increased tendon disorganization were indicated in aged and diabetic tendons.
Conclusions:
- The developed ultrasound technique effectively characterizes tendon microstructure non-invasively.
- Metrics derived from the angular dependence of ultrasound backscatter are sensitive to microstructural changes.
- This technique shows promise for assessing tendon health in conditions like aging and diabetes.
