Rear-foot Valgus Affects Achilles Tendon Blood Flow

Indroduction
The biomechanical fault position of the foot and ankle, such as rear foot valgus has been speculated to cause internal rotatory forces on Achilles tendon and peritendon. Torsional and rotatory forces may wring out vessels in the tendon and peritendon, causing vascular impairment and degenerative changes on tendon fibers. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that rear-foot valgus reduces Achilles tendon blood flow.

Methods
ANEXO.

Results
ANEXO

Discussion / Conclusions
The results of this study confirm that the Achilles tendon blood flow in the experimental group was negatively influenced by position especially at osseo-tendinous and at mid-portion. The observed high blood flow resistance in experimental group could be attributed to the fact that over-pronation rotates the Achilles tendon causing vascular blanching and impairment on the blood supply of the tendon. These alterations on blood flow should be evaluated to investigate whether negatively influence the nutrition, healing and the metabolic activity of the tendon, resulting in hypoxia and tissue degeneration [1].

References
[1]. Kannus, P. & Jozsa, L., (1997). Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 7, 113-118.

NOTA: O texto com a iconografia está no anexo.

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