Tennis LegNCT07513779
Residual Eccentric Strength Deficits and Deep Scar Tissue Thickness in Patients With Tennis Leg
An observational study of Tennis Leg and Muscle Contusion, run by Al Hayah University In Cairo at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial 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… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Tennis Leg, Muscle Contusion
- What is being tested?
- B-mode Diagnostic Ultrasound - Scar Tissue Assessment and Isokinetic Dynamometry - Eccentric Plantar Flexor Strength Assessment
- How many people
- 21 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 15 Apr 2026to 15 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Study population: Patients referred from orthopedic clinics to physiotherapy clinics and/or sports rehabilitation centers in Cairo, Egypt, who have a history of unilateral medial gastrocnemius muscle tear (tennis leg) confirmed by diagnostic ultrasound, have completed acute healing (≥3 months post-injury), and have returned to daily activities.
Who may be able to join
- 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)
Who cannot join
- 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
Show all 12Show fewer
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Egypt1 site
Outpatient clinic of faculty of physical therapy, Alhayah University in Cairo
New Cairo, Cairo Governorate, 12345
About this study
Official title: Residual Eccentric Strength Deficits of Gastrocnemius Muscle and Deep Scar Tissue Thickness in Patients With Tennis Leg: A Cross-Sectional Study
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.
- Conditions
- Tennis Leg, Muscle Contusion
- Being tested
- B-mode Diagnostic Ultrasound - Scar Tissue Assessment, Isokinetic Dynamometry - Eccentric Plantar Flexor Strength Assessment
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
B-mode Diagnostic Ultrasound - Scar Tissue AssessmentDiagnostic test
B-mode diagnostic ultrasound is used to measure deep scar tissue thickness (in millimeters) at the musculotendinous junction of the medial gastrocnemius muscle. Measurements are obtained in both longitudinal and transverse planes at the site of maximal scar thickness. The contralateral uninjured limb is measured for comparison. Assessments are performed by a blinded experienced sonographer using a standardized probe position. This is a diagnostic exposure measurement, not a therapeutic intervention.
Isokinetic Dynamometry - Eccentric Plantar Flexor Strength AssessmentDiagnostic test
Eccentric plantar flexor strength is assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer at angular velocities of 30°/s and 60°/s. Peak torque (Nm) is recorded for both the injured and uninjured limbs. Testing follows a standardized warm-up protocol with randomized testing order and adequate rest between trials. The percentage deficit between limbs is calculated. This is a diagnostic measurement, not a therapeutic intervention.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Tennis Leg Patients - Post-Healing | Adults aged 18-40 years with a history of unilateral medial gastrocnemius muscle tear (tennis leg, Grade I or Grade II), confirmed by ultrasound, at least 3 months post-injury, who have clinically healed and returned to daily activities. Each participant serves as their own control with the contralateral uninjured limb used for comparison. Receives: Diagnostic Test: B-mode Diagnostic Ultrasound - Scar Tissue Assessment; Diagnostic Test: Isokinetic Dynamometry - Eccentric Plantar Flexor Strength Assessment |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Eccentric Plantar Flexor Strength Deficit (Percentage)
The percentage difference in eccentric peak torque (Nm) of the plantar flexor muscles between the injured and uninjured limbs, measured using isokinetic dynamometry at 30°/s and 60°/s. Deficit is calculated as: [(Uninjured - Injured) / Uninjured] × 100. A higher percentage indicates greater residual weakness.
Measured: Single assessment at the time of enrollment (one study visit)
Deep Scar Tissue Thickness (millimeters)
Maximal thickness of deep scar tissue at the musculotendinous junction of the medial gastrocnemius muscle, measured in millimeters using B-mode diagnostic ultrasound in longitudinal and transverse planes. Measurements are compared with the contralateral uninjured limb. Additional scar characteristics recorded include echogenicity (hypoechoic/mixed/hyperechoic), scar continuity and alignment, presence of adhesions, and pennation angle disruption (if visible).
Measured: Single assessment at the time of enrollment (one study visit)
Secondary outcomes (3)
Single-Leg Heel Raise Endurance
Number of single-leg heel raise repetitions performed on each limb until fatigue. Heel raise height symmetry between limbs is also recorded.
Measured: Single assessment at the time of enrollment (one study visit)
Time-to-Fatigue During Repeated Plantar Flexion
Time (in seconds) to fatigue during repeated single-leg plantar flexion for both the injured and uninjured limbs.
Measured: Single assessment at the time of enrollment (one study visit)
Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion
Passive ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (degrees) measured using a standard universal goniometer, assessing the angle between the foot and tibia in a standardized position. Restricted dorsiflexion may indicate increased stiffness or altered tissue elasticity due to scar tissue. Measured bilaterally.
Measured: Single assessment at the time of enrollment (one study visit)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Apr 2026
- Study start15 Apr 2026
- Primary completion15 Sep 2026
- Study completion15 Sep 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Tennis LegStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 21 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Al Hayah University In Cairo
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Cairo University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mariam Ahmed Wagdy, Al Hayah University In Cairo
- Investigators
- Haitham M. ElHafez, Ph.D, Study chair, Cairo UniversityAya A Said, Ph.D, Study director, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07513779
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CUPT-MSc-2026-MARIAMAW-001
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 31 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 29 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Residual Eccentric Strength Deficits of Gastrocnemius Muscle and Deep Scar Tissue Thickness in Patients With Tennis Leg: A Cross-Sectional Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07513779
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CUPT-MSc-2026-MARIAMAW-001
- Conditions
- Tennis Leg, Muscle Contusion
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 21 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Al Hayah University In CairoUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Cairo University
- Study start
- 15 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Sep 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 7 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Tennis Leg Patients - Post-Healing | – | Diagnostic Test: B-mode Diagnostic Ultrasound - Scar Tissue Assessment, Diagnostic Test: Isokinetic Dynamometry - Eccentric Plantar Flexor Strength AssessmentAdults aged 18-40 years with a history of unilateral medial gastrocnemius muscle tear (tennis leg, Grade I or Grade II), confirmed by ultrasound, at least 3 months post-injury, who have clinically healed and returned to daily activities. Each participant serves as their own control with the contralateral uninjured limb used for comparison. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Patients referred from orthopedic clinics to physiotherapy clinics and/or sports rehabilitation centers in Cairo, Egypt, who have a history of unilateral medial gastrocnemius muscle tear (tennis leg) confirmed by diagnostic ultrasound, have completed acute healing (≥3 months post-injury), and have returned to daily activities.
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (12 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| B-mode Diagnostic Ultrasound - Scar Tissue AssessmentB-mode diagnostic ultrasound is used to measure deep scar tissue thickness (in millimeters) at the musculotendinous junction of the medial gastrocnemius muscle. Measurements are obtained in both longitudinal and transverse planes at the site of maximal scar thickness. The contralateral uninjured limb is measured for comparison. Assessments are performed by a blinded experienced sonographer using a standardized probe position. This is a diagnostic exposure measurement, not a therapeutic intervention. | Diagnostic test | Tennis Leg Patients - Post-Healing |
| Isokinetic Dynamometry - Eccentric Plantar Flexor Strength AssessmentEccentric plantar flexor strength is assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer at angular velocities of 30°/s and 60°/s. Peak torque (Nm) is recorded for both the injured and uninjured limbs. Testing follows a standardized warm-up protocol with randomized testing order and adequate rest between trials. The percentage deficit between limbs is calculated. This is a diagnostic measurement, not a therapeutic intervention. | Diagnostic test | Tennis Leg Patients - Post-Healing |
Primary outcome
Eccentric Plantar Flexor Strength Deficit (Percentage)
Time frame: Single assessment at the time of enrollment (one study visit)
The percentage difference in eccentric peak torque (Nm) of the plantar flexor muscles between the injured and uninjured limbs, measured using isokinetic dynamometry at 30°/s and 60°/s. Deficit is calculated as: [(Uninjured - Injured) / Uninjured] × 100. A higher percentage indicates greater residual weakness.
Deep Scar Tissue Thickness (millimeters)
Time frame: Single assessment at the time of enrollment (one study visit)
Maximal thickness of deep scar tissue at the musculotendinous junction of the medial gastrocnemius muscle, measured in millimeters using B-mode diagnostic ultrasound in longitudinal and transverse planes. Measurements are compared with the contralateral uninjured limb. Additional scar characteristics recorded include echogenicity (hypoechoic/mixed/hyperechoic), scar continuity and alignment, presence of adhesions, and pennation angle disruption (if visible).
3 secondary outcomes
Single-Leg Heel Raise Endurance
Time frame: Single assessment at the time of enrollment (one study visit)
Time-to-Fatigue During Repeated Plantar Flexion
Time frame: Single assessment at the time of enrollment (one study visit)
Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion
Time frame: Single assessment at the time of enrollment (one study visit)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 29 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Haitham M. ElHafez, Ph.D study chair
Cairo University
Aya A Said, Ph.D study director
Cairo University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Tennis Leg and Muscle Contusion, run by Al Hayah University In Cairo at 1 site in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 12 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Eccentric Plantar Flexor Strength Deficit (Percentage) (time frame: Single assessment at the time of enrollment (one study visit)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 Sep 2026.