Authors: Ashley Allan, Mikayla Kimball, Noah Bezzant, Brent Feland, Josh Sponbeck
Mentors: Brent Feland
Insitution: Brigham Young University
BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that there are differences bilaterally in the cross sectional area of the patellar tendon for lead vs non lead extremities of athletes. Yet, little research can be found as to whether there is a difference that develops over one’s lifetime between the stiffness of the patellar tendons in the dominant vs non-dominant legs. Reliability has not yet been established for elastography in the patellar tendons, so we are continuously striving to gather more reliable data on shear-wave elastography of the patellar tendon.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess whether there is a difference in the average patellar tendon stiffness as measured by ultrasound elastography using a pad vs no pad and differences between self reported non-dominant vs dominant knee of senior athletes over the age of 50. Dominance taken as reported in a modified KOOS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) survey.
METHODS: Data was collected from 15 active, senior aged volunteers at the Huntsman World Senior Games in St George, Utah, 2023. All subjects (mean age= 67.29 ± 6.26 yrs, height=175.44 ± 8.18 cm, weight=87.40 ± 12.21 kg) signed an approved consent and completed a modified KOOS survey. Following, they were seated on a table, with their backs against the wall directly behind them. They were seated so that their lower legs were hanging off of the table in a relaxed position. The patellar tendon was then imaged with a long axis view using ultrasound elastography.
ANALYSIS: All data were analyzed using JMP ver16.2 with a repeated measured analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine if differences existed between pad and no pad and between dominant and non- dominant legs.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There was a significant difference between (p=.0423) pad and no pad patellar tendon measurements, but no significant difference when comparing sides combined with pad and no pad, between dominant and non-dominant legs, although a trend for significance did exist, and we suspect that with more subjects analyzed, we will get more significance.