Residual Eccentric Strength Deficits and Deep Scar Tissue Thickness in Patients With Tennis Leg (NCT07513779) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Residual Eccentric Strength Deficits and Deep Scar Tissue Thickness in Patients With Tennis Leg
Egypt40 participantsStarted 2026-04-15
Plain-language summary
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.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 40 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* 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)
Exclusion Criteria:
* 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
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.