Research Article

Achilles tendon involvement in patients with spondyloarthritis: Associations with ankle function, ultrasound findings, and foot-ankle-related quality of life

Volume: 43 Number: 2 June 30, 2026
TR EN

Achilles tendon involvement in patients with spondyloarthritis: Associations with ankle function, ultrasound findings, and foot-ankle-related quality of life

Abstract

To evaluate clinical and ultrasonographic achilles tendon involvement in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) and to investigate its associations with ankle range of motion, isokinetic muscle strength, and foot- and ankle-related quality of life.Sixty patients with spondyloarthritis fulfilling ASAS classification criteria and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Clinical enthesopathy was assessed by physical examination. Disease activity, function, and enthesitis severity were evaluated using BASDAI, BASFI, and SPARCC indices. Achilles tendon ultrasound was performed and scored using the Glasgow Ultrasound Enthesitis Scoring System (GUESS). Ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion range of motion and isokinetic peak torque at 30°/s and 120°/s were measured. Foot and ankle-related outcomes were assessed using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). Heel pain was more frequent in patients with SpA compared with controls (35% vs 2%, p<0.001). Mean Achilles tendon thickness was significantly higher in SpA (4.21±0.58 mm vs 3.93±0.42 mm, p=0.01), and GUESS scores were also higher (0.76±1.29 vs 0.26±0.59, p=0.04). Ankle dorsiflexion (15.08±7.58 vs 18.32±4.31°, p=0.01) and plantarflexion (41.91±7.15 vs 45.62±5.19°, p=0.002) were significantly reduced in SpA. All FAOS subscales were significantly lower (all p<0.001). FAOS scores showed moderate to strong correlations with pain and disease activity (r=−0.41 to −0.70, p<0.05). Achilles tendon involvement in SpA is associated with reduced ankle mobility and significant impairment in foot-ankle-related function and quality of life, even in the absence of marked reductions in isokinetic muscle strength. Comprehensive assessment of Achilles enthesitis may improve functional management in SpA.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Rheumatology and Arthritis

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

February 10, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 28, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 43 Number: 2

APA
Farısoğulları, B., Alaylı, G., & Kuru, Ö. (2026). Achilles tendon involvement in patients with spondyloarthritis: Associations with ankle function, ultrasound findings, and foot-ankle-related quality of life. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi, 43(2), 176-182. https://izlik.org/JA96LW69XE
AMA
1.Farısoğulları B, Alaylı G, Kuru Ö. Achilles tendon involvement in patients with spondyloarthritis: Associations with ankle function, ultrasound findings, and foot-ankle-related quality of life. J. Exp. Clin. Med. 2026;43(2):176-182. https://izlik.org/JA96LW69XE
Chicago
Farısoğulları, Bayram, Gamze Alaylı, and Ömer Kuru. 2026. “Achilles Tendon Involvement in Patients With Spondyloarthritis: Associations With Ankle Function, Ultrasound Findings, and Foot-Ankle-Related Quality of Life”. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 43 (2): 176-82. https://izlik.org/JA96LW69XE.
EndNote
Farısoğulları B, Alaylı G, Kuru Ö (June 1, 2026) Achilles tendon involvement in patients with spondyloarthritis: Associations with ankle function, ultrasound findings, and foot-ankle-related quality of life. Deneysel ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 43 2 176–182.
IEEE
[1]B. Farısoğulları, G. Alaylı, and Ö. Kuru, “Achilles tendon involvement in patients with spondyloarthritis: Associations with ankle function, ultrasound findings, and foot-ankle-related quality of life”, J. Exp. Clin. Med., vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 176–182, June 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA96LW69XE
ISNAD
Farısoğulları, Bayram - Alaylı, Gamze - Kuru, Ömer. “Achilles Tendon Involvement in Patients With Spondyloarthritis: Associations With Ankle Function, Ultrasound Findings, and Foot-Ankle-Related Quality of Life”. Deneysel ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 43/2 (June 1, 2026): 176-182. https://izlik.org/JA96LW69XE.
JAMA
1.Farısoğulları B, Alaylı G, Kuru Ö. Achilles tendon involvement in patients with spondyloarthritis: Associations with ankle function, ultrasound findings, and foot-ankle-related quality of life. J. Exp. Clin. Med. 2026;43:176–182.
MLA
Farısoğulları, Bayram, et al. “Achilles Tendon Involvement in Patients With Spondyloarthritis: Associations With Ankle Function, Ultrasound Findings, and Foot-Ankle-Related Quality of Life”. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi, vol. 43, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 176-82, https://izlik.org/JA96LW69XE.
Vancouver
1.Bayram Farısoğulları, Gamze Alaylı, Ömer Kuru. Achilles tendon involvement in patients with spondyloarthritis: Associations with ankle function, ultrasound findings, and foot-ankle-related quality of life. J. Exp. Clin. Med. [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 1;43(2):176-82. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA96LW69XE