Observation of the Effect of Ultrasound-Guided Intrafascial Heat on Ankle Dorsiflexion in Chronic Gastrocnemius Injury Contracture

Abstract

purpose: To observe the effect of ultrasound-guided intrafascial heat on ankle dorsiflexion of chronic gastrocnemius muscle injury contracture. Methods: 90 patients with chronic gastrocnemius muscle injury contracture were selected and these patients were randomized to three random groups (n=30): Static stretching therapy (group C), ultrasound-guided intrafascial hot needle release therapy (group R1), static stretching combined with ultrasound-guided intrafascial hot needle release therapy (group R2). Ankle dorsiflexion Angle (ADA) was measured before treatment, one week one month and three Months after treatment. Quantitative ultrasonography was used to evaluate the fascicle length (FL), pinnate Angle (PA) and muscle thickness (MT) of the medial gastrocnemic muscle, and the adverse reactions were recorded. Results: After treatment, ADA and FL increased, while PA and MT decreased in the 3 groups. In R2 group, ADA and FL increased and PA and MT decreased at one week , one month and three Months after treatment, which were better than those in R1 group and C group (P<0.05); ADA, FL, PA and MT in group R1 at one week after treatment had no statistical significance compared with group C (P>0.05), but the ADA, FL and PA and MT were higher than patients in group C (P<0.05), and no serious complications occurred during the treatment. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided intrafascial thermal needle release combined with static stretching can significantly improve the ankle dorsiflexion angle and restore muscle function in patients with chronic gastrocnemius muscle injury contracture, with definite efficacy and few adverse reactions, which is worthy of clinical promotion.