Residual Eccentric Strength Deficits and Deep Scar Tissue Thickness in Patients With Tennis Leg
Recruiting now
Conditions studied: Tennis Leg, Muscle Contusion
In brief
This study investigates the relationship between the thickness of deep scar tissue and residual weakness in the calf muscles of patients who have recovered from a condition known as "tennis leg." Tennis leg is a common calf muscle injury caused by a partial tear of the inner part of the gastrocnemius (calf) muscle at the point where muscle meets tendon. While patients often return to daily activities after healing, many continue to experience hidden weakness in their calf muscles, particularly during activities that require the muscle to lengthen under load (eccentric contractions), such as walking downhill, running, or landing from a jump. This study uses diagnostic ultrasound imaging to measure the thickness of scar tissue that forms inside the muscle after injury. It also uses an isokinetic dynamometer to objectively measure the eccentric (lengthening) strength of the calf muscles. By comparing the injured leg to the uninjured leg in the same person, the study determines whether patients with thicker scar tissue have greater residual strength deficits. The study enrolls adults aged 18 to 40 years who have had a confirmed unilateral calf muscle tear at least 3 months ago and have returned to normal daily activities. No treatment or intervention is provided. All assessments are performed at a single time point. Understanding how scar tissue relates to persistent muscle weakness could help clinicians better predict long-term outcomes, design more effective rehabilitation programs, and make more informed decisions about when patients are ready to return to sport and physical activity.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07513779
- Run by
- Al Hayah University In Cairo
- People needed
- 40
- Starts
- 2026-04-15
- Expected to finish
- 2026-08-15
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-04-07
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 40. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Age between 18 and 40 years
- History of unilateral plantar flexor muscle tear (tennis leg) involving the medial gastrocnemius, confirmed by diagnostic ultrasound
- Ultrasound diagnostic criteria: hypoechoic or anechoic fluid collection between the medial gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, with partial or complete disruption of the normal muscle fiber architecture at the myotendinous junction
- Grade I (mild strain, <10% fiber involvement) or Grade II (moderate partial tear, 10-90% fiber involvement) injury
- At least 3 months post-injury
- Clinically healed with return to daily activities
- Ability to perform maximal eccentric plantar flexion as assessed by the Eccentric Heel Raise Test (Single-Leg) (Chen et al., 2009)
You may not qualify if…
- Bilateral calf injuries
- Grade III (severe/complete) gastrocnemius muscle rupture
- Previous Achilles tendon rupture or surgery
- Previous injuries or surgeries to the lower extremity (other than the index tennis leg injury)
- Neurological disorders affecting lower limb function
- Current acute pain or re-injury at the time of assessment
- Other lower-limb musculoskeletal injuries affecting performance
- Systemic inflammatory or connective tissue diseases
- Popliteal cyst rupture
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Isolated Achilles tendon rupture
- Muscle tumor
Where it is running
- Outpatient clinic of faculty of physical therapy, Alhayah University in Cairo — New Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt (enrolling)
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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