Ankle proprioception and functional performance in patients with Achilles tendinopathy

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in ankle plantar flexion proprioception and lower extremity function between Achilles tendinopathy (AT) patients and healthy controls. 17 patients with midportion AT (age 22.0 ± 3.0, 7 females, and 10 males) and 17 healthy controls (age 21.5 ± 2.1, 7 females, and 10 males) were recruited. The following tests were performed randomly: the ankle plantar flexion active movement extent discrimination assessment (AMEDA), weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT), single leg hop test, figure-of-eight hop test, Y Balance Test (YBT), and lower extremity functional test (LEFT). Group comparisons were made between the AT and healthy groups, and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze the ability of tests to differentiate between participants with and without AT. Results showed that the AT group performed significantly worse in the ankle proprioception test (p = 0.016), single leg hop test (p = 0.001), figure-of-eight hop test (p < 0.001), unilateral LEFT (p = 0.001), and LEFT injury risk score (p = 0.001) than healthy controls. No significant between group difference was found in WBLT and YBT. Diagnostic analysis showed that the AMEDA (p = 0.018), single leg hop test (p = 0.003), figure-of-eight hop test (p = 0.002), and LEFT (p = 0.001) could differentiate between patients with AT and the healthy individuals. The current study demonstrated that ankle proprioception and functional performance involving explosive jump are impaired in patients with AT, suggesting poorer dynamic neuromuscular function and a higher risk of lower limb injury in this population, and furthermore, these tests should be considered in the assessment for AT.