Prevalence of gastrocnemius contracture
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prevalence of gastrocnemius contracture in persons with and without foot and ankle pathology
IRAS ID
128813
Contact name
Dishan Singh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 17 days
Research summary
The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of calf tightness in persons with and without foot and ankle pathology. Patients are often referred to health professionals for stretching of the calf as part of a conservative treatment programme. Patients are also offered surgery if conservative measures fail. However, there is still no gold standard test to measure calf tightness.
We are currently carrying out a pilot study to assesse the best reliable test to measure calf tightness. We will compare different methods of assessing calf tightness in healthy volunteers recruited from the staff of the RNOH. Inter and intra observer reliability of the different tests are being assessed.
Using the chosen test the main study will recruit patients and healthy volunteers with and without foot and ankle pathology. Each participant will have their ankle dorsiflexion range of movement measured with 2 tests during a period of approximately 30 minutes. These tests are non-invasive and simple to carry out for both the patient and tester.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
14/ES/1089
Date of REC Opinion
31 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion