Functional deficits following acute achilles tendon rupture are correlated with changes in muscle structure

Plantarflexor functional deficits are associated with poor outcomes in patients following Achilles tendon rupture. In this study, we established the link between changes in gastrocnemius structure with plantarflexor function 3 months after injury. We found that deficits in peak isokinetic torque were positively correlated with decreases in resting fascicle length following tendon rupture. These findings suggest that patient function is explained by plantarflexor muscle remodelling, which is a rapid and permanent response to Achilles tendon ruptures.