Comparing anisotropy of muscle texture in orthopaedic pathology and during increased training

Aim. The paper aims to compare the features of anisotropy of muscles in patients with congenital developmental shin pathology, middle distance runners and wrestlers. Materials and methods. The study is based on the analysis of echography of lower limb skeletal muscles in patients with congenital shortening of the lower limb (group 1, n = 11) and middle distance runners (masters and candidates for master of sport, group 2, n = 11). The third group involved wrestlers (n = 10). All participants were aged 18-24. By means of echography the structure of anterior leg muscles was studied in patients with segment shortening, middle distance runners and wrestlers. The moment of muscle force was also detected. Results. The texture anisotropy index of m. extensor digitorum longus of the affected shin was significantly lower than that of the unaffected segment (р ≤ 0.05 Mann-Whitney). The same values for a shortened and unaffected segment of m. tibialis anterior were 0.29-0.30. After lower limb lengthening the texture anisotropy index of m. extensor digitorum longus increased by 83.3% up to 0.33 (р ≤ 0.01). In middle distance runners, the texture anisotropy index of m. extensor digitorum longus (left) was 0.10, the same index for m. tibialis anterior was 0.2. This shows a moderately reduced anisotropy in runners. No asymmetry was found in middle distance runners in terms of this criterion. In wrestlers, asymmetry of texture anisotropy of m. extensor digitorum longus was found for both lower limbs. A 36% decrease in the anisotropy index of m. extensor digitorum longus of the right lower limb was revealed compared to the left lower limb. Conclusion. Before lower limb lengthening texture anisotropy of m. extensor digitorum longus is moderately reduced. The differences were found in the nature of texture anisotropy, which is associated with reactive changes provoked by regular training in middle distance runners and wrestlers.