Abstract:

Objective To apply the ultrasound elastography in quantitative evaluation for spasticity of forearm flexor muscles after stroke, and observe its characteristics. Methods From January to October, 2019, 30 inpatients with stroke were recruited, followning spasticity of wrist and finger flexor muscles. They were measured the shear wave velocity (SWV) of flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and flexor carpi radialis (FCR) with ultrasound elastography, and assessed the tension of wrist and finger flexors with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS).Results The SWV of all the muscles were more in stretching position than in relaxation position in both sides (|Z| > 3.844, P< 0.001). The SWV of all the muscles were more in the affected side than in the unaffected side in stretching position (|Z| > 3.593, P< 0.001). The differences of SWV between stretching and relaxation were more in all the muscles in the affected side than in the unaffected side (t> 3.199,P< 0.01). The mean SWV of all the muscles significantly correlated with the MAS score of wrist (r= 0.605,P< 0.001), while the mean SWV of FDS and FDP correlated with the MAS score of finger (r= 0.540,P< 0.01).Conclusion Ultrasound elastography is useful to quantitatively evaluate the spasticity of each muscle of forearm flexors after stroke.

Key words: stroke, spasticity, upper extremity, ultrasound elastography, assessment