Evaluation of Achilles Tendon in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcer by High-Frequency Ultrasound Combined with Real-Time Shear-Wave Elastography

To our best knowledge, no study investigated the utility of the combination of high-frequency US and real-time shear wave elastography (RTSWE) in the evaluation of Achilles tendon (AT). Our study aimed to evaluate AT in patients with diabetic foot ulcers using high-frequency US and RTSWE. We retrospectively reviewed 100 patients who visited our hospital due to diabetes. Patients were divided into the study group (those with diabetic foot ulcers) and the control group (those without diabetic foot ulcers). Patients' demographics, basic medical records, and laboratory tests were reviewed. High-frequency ultrasound and RTSWE were performed in both AT for all 100 patients. Young's modulus was measured at the upper, middle, and lower parts of each AT by RTSWE. There were 50 patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Patients in the study group had older age, a higher incidence of insulin use, and a higher level of cholesterol than those in the control group. However, thickness and Young's modulus of AT were comparable in two groups, when evaluated by the combination of high-frequency ultrasound and RTSWE. There was no significant difference in thickness and elastic modulus of AT in patients with and without diabetic foot ulcers when evaluated by the combination of high-frequency ultrasound and RTSWE.