Changes to muscle and fascia tissue after eighteen days of ankle immobilization post-ankle sprain injury: an MRI case study
Abstract Background Ankle sprains often result in muscle atrophy and reduced range of motion, which can cause long-term ankle instabilities. Understanding the changes to muscle—such as atrophy—and concomitant changes to deep fascia—which may thicken alongside muscle loss—after ankle sprain injury is...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-08254-8 |
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| author | Meeghage Randika Perera Pan Su Samantha Holdsworth Geoffrey Handsfield |
| author_facet | Meeghage Randika Perera Pan Su Samantha Holdsworth Geoffrey Handsfield |
| author_sort | Meeghage Randika Perera |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Ankle sprains often result in muscle atrophy and reduced range of motion, which can cause long-term ankle instabilities. Understanding the changes to muscle—such as atrophy—and concomitant changes to deep fascia—which may thicken alongside muscle loss—after ankle sprain injury is important to understanding structural changes about the joint and how they might contribute to longer-term impairments. Here, we employ advanced MRI to investigate skeletal muscle and fascial structural changes during the recovery period of one patient undergoing immobilization after ankle sprains. Material and methods In this case study, a participant who suffered an ankle sprain underwent initial MRI scans and, after 21 days (18 of which included immobilization), a follow-up MRI. Techniques used included proton density, 3D stack of spirals, and diffusion tensor imaging to analyse muscle and fascia changes pre- and post-injury. Results Results showed muscle atrophy in most shank muscles, with volume loss ranging from no change in the lateral gastrocnemius to 12.11% in the popliteus. Thigh muscles displayed hypertrophy of 6% in the hamstrings, while the quadriceps atrophied by 2.5%. Additionally, fascia thickness increased from 0.94 mm to 1.03 mm. Diffusion tensor imaging indicated that the biceps femoris experienced the most significant changes in physiological cross-sectional area, while the rectus femoris showed minimal change. Conclusion The findings highlight the variable responses of muscles and a notable thickening of deep fascia post-injury, underscoring its role in recovery from ankle sprains. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c3adaa77776945f4937c40ed1da9c7af |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2474 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders |
| spelling | doaj-art-c3adaa77776945f4937c40ed1da9c7af2025-01-12T12:04:52ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742025-01-0126111210.1186/s12891-024-08254-8Changes to muscle and fascia tissue after eighteen days of ankle immobilization post-ankle sprain injury: an MRI case studyMeeghage Randika Perera0Pan Su1Samantha Holdsworth2Geoffrey Handsfield3Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of AucklandSiemens Medical Solutions, USA, Inc.Mātai Medical Research InstituteAuckland Bioengineering Institute, University of AucklandAbstract Background Ankle sprains often result in muscle atrophy and reduced range of motion, which can cause long-term ankle instabilities. Understanding the changes to muscle—such as atrophy—and concomitant changes to deep fascia—which may thicken alongside muscle loss—after ankle sprain injury is important to understanding structural changes about the joint and how they might contribute to longer-term impairments. Here, we employ advanced MRI to investigate skeletal muscle and fascial structural changes during the recovery period of one patient undergoing immobilization after ankle sprains. Material and methods In this case study, a participant who suffered an ankle sprain underwent initial MRI scans and, after 21 days (18 of which included immobilization), a follow-up MRI. Techniques used included proton density, 3D stack of spirals, and diffusion tensor imaging to analyse muscle and fascia changes pre- and post-injury. Results Results showed muscle atrophy in most shank muscles, with volume loss ranging from no change in the lateral gastrocnemius to 12.11% in the popliteus. Thigh muscles displayed hypertrophy of 6% in the hamstrings, while the quadriceps atrophied by 2.5%. Additionally, fascia thickness increased from 0.94 mm to 1.03 mm. Diffusion tensor imaging indicated that the biceps femoris experienced the most significant changes in physiological cross-sectional area, while the rectus femoris showed minimal change. Conclusion The findings highlight the variable responses of muscles and a notable thickening of deep fascia post-injury, underscoring its role in recovery from ankle sprains.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-08254-8Ankle injuriesMuscle atrophyFasciaMagnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)Muscle hypertrophyPost-injury recovery |
| spellingShingle | Meeghage Randika Perera Pan Su Samantha Holdsworth Geoffrey Handsfield Changes to muscle and fascia tissue after eighteen days of ankle immobilization post-ankle sprain injury: an MRI case study BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Ankle injuries Muscle atrophy Fascia Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Muscle hypertrophy Post-injury recovery |
| title | Changes to muscle and fascia tissue after eighteen days of ankle immobilization post-ankle sprain injury: an MRI case study |
| title_full | Changes to muscle and fascia tissue after eighteen days of ankle immobilization post-ankle sprain injury: an MRI case study |
| title_fullStr | Changes to muscle and fascia tissue after eighteen days of ankle immobilization post-ankle sprain injury: an MRI case study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Changes to muscle and fascia tissue after eighteen days of ankle immobilization post-ankle sprain injury: an MRI case study |
| title_short | Changes to muscle and fascia tissue after eighteen days of ankle immobilization post-ankle sprain injury: an MRI case study |
| title_sort | changes to muscle and fascia tissue after eighteen days of ankle immobilization post ankle sprain injury an mri case study |
| topic | Ankle injuries Muscle atrophy Fascia Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Muscle hypertrophy Post-injury recovery |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-08254-8 |
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