Structural and mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon in senior badminton players: Operated vs. non-injured tendons

The aim of this study was to describe the differences in structural and mechanical properties between operated and non-injured Achilles tendons in senior badminton players who had had Achilles tendon surgery and had returned to play. Eighteen players (age = 48.9(10.0)years), assigned to the unilateral Achilles tendon rupture group and 177 non-injured players (age = 55.4(9.4)years), assigned to the control group. A Logiq®S8 ultrasound was used to study tendon structure and elastography index values and a Myoton®PRO hand-held myotonometer was used to record the stiffness of the Achilles tendon. In Achilles tendon rupture group, operated tendons showed higher values than non-injured ones in thickness (Operated = 9.03(2.67)mm vs. non-injured = 5.88(0.88)mm; P