Assessment of the lower extremity muscle activation levels during the functional activities in patients with achilles tendon repair

Tan F. Assesment Of Lower Extremity Muscle Activation Levels During The Functional Activities in Patients with Achilles Tendon Repair, Hacettepe University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Master Thesis in Orthopedic Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Program, Ankara, 2019. The aim of the present study was to compare the lower extremity muscle activation levels during different activities between subjects with Achilles tendon repair and healthy controls. Fifteen male subjects with AT repair and fifteen healthy controls at the same age and gender were included in the study. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to record the muscle activation levels of Tibialis Anterior (TA), Peroneus Longus (PL), Gastrocnemius Medialis, Gastrocnemius Lateralis and Soleus (SL) during Y balance test anterior and posterior internal reach and return phases, forward lunge and heel rise. EMG Muscle activation levels were compared between repair side of the AT repair subject and the dominant side of a healthy subjects. In addition, the total score of Y balance test anterior and posterior internal reach were calculated. Weigth Bearing Lunge Test (WBLT), Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) and Foot-Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) were evaluted in AT repaired subjects. Demographic characteristics were found similar between groups (p> 0.05). When compared to the healthy group, the AT repair group showed higher activation levels in GM during Y balance anterior reach and higher activation levels in GM and GL in posterior internal reach; higher activation levels in PL muscle during heel raise (p<0.05). Y balance test total scores, heel raise, and WBLT findings were lower than the healthy group (p<0.05). ATRS and FAOS scores were high in AT repaired subjects. It is important to recommend the correct exercise and activities to provide a balanced muscle activation levels in Triceps Surae muscle group during functional activities for AT repaired subjects. This study showed that, the activation levels were similar during the heel rise and the forward lunge exercises. More attention should be required when performing the Y balance test in subject with AT repair. Evaluation of muscle activation levels during functional activities before implementing the physiotherapy and rehabilitation exercises would lead to a more effective rehabilitation program. Key Words: Tendon repair, surface electromyography, function