SWE + MFI Imaging for Athletic Injuries

Not currently recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Natalie Pettigrew, DPT

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Oregon Health and Science University

Disqualifiers: Prior fasciotomy, Hemodialysis grafts, Wounds

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 24 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores new methods to monitor and understand athletic injuries using advanced imaging techniques. It focuses on how shear wave elastography (a special ultrasound that measures tissue stiffness) and microvascular flow imaging (a technique to see blood flow in small vessels) change from injury to recovery in leg injuries. The trial also aims to develop an AI system to automate these measurements. Suitable participants have a suspected muscle or soft tissue injury in their lower leg, such as a hamstring or ankle injury. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research in sports medicine.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that these imaging techniques are safe for assessing athletic injuries?

Research shows that Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) and Microvascular Flow Imaging (MFI) safely and non-invasively examine muscles and tendons. These techniques measure tissue stiffness. Studies have confirmed SWE's safety for assessing various muscles and tendons.

No reports have indicated problems from using SWE and MFI for muscle and tendon imaging. As non-invasive methods, they do not involve surgery or entering the body, making them generally easy for patients to tolerate.

Participants can feel assured about the safety of SWE and MFI when considering joining a study that uses these techniques. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the use of Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) and Microvascular Flow Imaging (MFI) for athletic injuries because these techniques offer a non-invasive and more precise way to assess injuries. Unlike traditional imaging methods like MRI and ultrasound, SWE can measure tissue stiffness, providing detailed insights into the extent of muscle or tendon damage. MFI enhances the visualization of blood flow in tiny vessels, helping to identify areas of inflammation or healing with greater accuracy. Together, these technologies could lead to quicker and more accurate diagnoses, potentially improving recovery times for athletes.

What evidence suggests that SWE and MFI imaging are effective for assessing athletic injuries?

Studies have shown that Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) effectively assesses muscle and tendon stiffness. This non-invasive imaging technique provides crucial information for diagnosing various conditions, including muscle and tendon injuries. Research has demonstrated that SWE helps measure changes in muscle stiffness after an injury, enabling doctors to track recovery. Microvascular Flow Imaging (MFI) complements this by revealing blood flow in small vessels, aiding in understanding the healing process. In this trial, participants will receive both SWE and MFI as a combined approach to monitor sports injuries and guide recovery efforts. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kenton Gregory, MD

Principal Investigator

Oregon Health and Science University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 18-89 with suspected musculoskeletal injuries of the lower extremity, like hamstring or ankle soft tissue injuries. Participants must be able to consent. It's not for those who've had a fasciotomy on the same limb, have hemodialysis grafts in that extremity, or wounds preventing ultrasound imaging.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to sign an informed consent document

I suspect I have a muscle or soft tissue injury in my leg or ankle.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a hemodialysis graft in my arm or leg.

I have had a fasciotomy on the same limb before.

You have wounds on your arms or legs that make it difficult to do an ultrasound.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo SWE and MFI measurements and complete the Lower Extremity Functional Scale questionnaire at each study visit

24 weeks

Regular visits throughout rehabilitation

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in tissue stiffness and blood flow post-treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Shear Wave Elastography and Microvascular Flow Imaging

Trial Overview The study tests how shear wave elastography (SWE) and microvascular flow imaging (MFI) measurements change from injury through recovery in lower extremity injuries. It aims to correlate these changes with functional impairment and develop an AI system for automated measurement.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Musculoskeletal injury Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Shear wave elastography and microvascular flow imaging.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Oregon Health and Science University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,024

Recruited

7,420,000+

University of Oregon

Collaborator

Trials

91

Recruited

46,700+

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-compartment-syndromes-10-2022-20edf

SWE + MFI Imaging for Athletic Injuries · Info for Participants Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) is a non-invasive imaging technique used to assess muscle and tendon stiffness, and studies have shown it to be safe for use in ...

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38607311/

Diagnostic utility of shear wave elastography in ... This review reveals that SWE adds important diagnostic data for the evaluation of several pathologies, such as median mononeuropathy at the wrist, Achilles ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301562918302928

Non-invasive Assessment of Changes in Muscle Injury by ... The present study investigated the potential of ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) in assessment of muscle stiffness in muscle injury.

4. pubs.rsna.org pubs.rsna.org/doi/abs/10.1148/rg.2017160116

Shear-Wave Elastography: Basic Physics and ... Shear wave elastography is a rapidly evolving US imaging technique that allows quantification of mechanical and elastic tissue properties.

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/379781949_Diagnostic_utility_of_shear_wave_elastography_in_musculoskeletal_injuries_A_narrative_review

Diagnostic utility of shear wave elastography in ... SWE enables quantitative and reproducible measurements of the mechanical properties of muscles and tendons, showing potential for applications in the diagnosis, ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9631468/

Characterizing musculoskeletal tissue mechanics based ... To evaluate material properties, a method often called shear wave elastography (SWE) can be used to measure tissue moduli and is commonly performed in unloaded ...

7. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/7/2224

Shear Wave Elastography, Superb Microvascular Imaging ... We propose that the use of intravascular CEUS may improve the ability of the US to assess muscle quality characteristics and distinguish between muscular ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5452887/

Shear-Wave Elastography: Basic Physics ... - PubMed Central SWE has a promising role in determining the severity of disease and treatment follow-up of various musculoskeletal tissues including tendons, muscles, nerves, ...