Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 19, 2026

Occlusion of the Great and Small Saphenous Vein Using Copolymeric Glue Based on N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate and Methacryloxy Sulfolane
Published on: December 9, 2022
Heel-Rise Test for functional assessment in chronic venous insufficiency: a validity study
Marina Silva Reis1, Keity Lamary Souza Silva1, Antonielly Rocha de Souza Pereira1
1Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri - UFVJM, Diamantina, MG, Brasil.
Background:
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) affects the superficial and/or deep venous system and is often associated with valve abnormalities and calf pump dysfunction, including reduced lower limb strength. Assessment of calf muscle strength should be part of the clinical routine for these patients. The Heel-Rise Test (HRT) has been proposed for this purpose, but its correlation with other functional instruments remains unclear.
Objectives:
To verify the validity of the HRT for assessment of calf muscle strength and endurance in patients with CVI by comparing it with other functional tests.
Methods:
Fifty-two patients with CVI (mean age of 67.2±13.2 years, CEAP 1 to 6) were evaluated. All patients undertook the HRT and were instructed to perform maximal plantar flexions until exhaustion. The number of repetitions and the time taken to complete the test were recorded. All Sit-to-Stand test variants (STS5, STS10, STS30, STS60) were also administered. Handgrip dynamometry, the Human Activity Profile (HAP), and the CIVIQ-14 questionnaire were also administered. Correlations were analyzed using Pearson or Spearman tests.
Results:
HRT repetitions correlated significantly with STS5 (r = -0.676), STS10 (r = -0.701), STS30 (r = 0.691), STS60 (r = 0.697), handgrip dynamometry (r = 0.275), HAP (r = 0.457), and CIVIQ-14 (r = -0.646). However, HRT execution time was not correlated with handgrip dynamometry or CIVIQ-14.
Conclusions:
The HRT is related to calf muscle strength, endurance, and functionality in patients with CVI and should be used for functional assessment of these patients.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above the...
Assessing Blood pressure in the Leg
Preparation:
Venous Return
What is Venous Return?
Venous return refers to the rate at which blood flows back to the heart from the body's peripheral veins. It's an integral part of the circulatory system as it...

