Assessment of Calf Skeletal Muscle Stiffness in Diabetic Nephropathy Patients with Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome by Two-Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography

Abstract

Objective: To explore the feasibility of two-dimensional shear wave elastography in evaluating calf skeletal muscle stiffness in diabetic nephropathy patients with medial tibial stress syndrome. Methods: A total of 48 diabetic nephropathy patients with medial tibial stress syndrome from January 2020 to December 2022 were included as the study group, and 48 patients with diabetic nephropathy during the same period were included as the control group. Both groups were detected by two-dimensional shear wave elastography with ultrasonic equipment, and Young‘s modulus of the tibialis anterior muscle, tibialis posterior muscle, and gastrocnemius muscle were observed and analyzed in the two groups. Results: The Young‘s modulus values of tibialis anterior muscle, tibialis posterior muscle, and gastrocnemius muscle in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Two-dimensional shear wave elastography is feasible for the evaluation of calf skeletal muscle stiffness in diabetic nephropathy patients with medial tibial stress syndrome, and has high accuracy and repeatability. This technique can be used to diagnose, treat and monitor muscle lesions in patients with diabetic nephropathy, and can also be used to assess muscle fatigue and exercise capacity, which has broad application prospects.