Shear Wave Elastography in Assessing Patellar and Quadriceps Tendon Stiffness: A Focused Literature Review
Rawan AlsukairiObjective:
To critically evaluate the clinical utility of shear wave elastography (SWE), in quantifying stiffness of the patellar and quadriceps tendons, with an emphasis on measurement consistency, reported stiffness patterns, and treatment response.
Materials and Methods:
A structured literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2016-2025), which identified studies employing SWE on either tendon. Eligible studies evaluated measurement reliability, baseline stiffness values, or changes associated with injury or treatment.
Results:
Six studies met the inclusion criteria, with studies assessing reliability generally reporting intra- and interrater agreement (intraclass correlation coefficients >0.85). Reported baseline stiffness for healthy tendons provided context for interpreting pathologic findings. In the study evaluating patellar tendinopathy, symptomatic tendons demonstrated higher baseline stiffness, with reduced stiffness after conservative care in association with functional improvement. Measurement variability was influenced by knee angle and muscle activation.
Conclusion:
Current evidence would suggest that SWE is a reproducible method for quantifying patellar and quadriceps tendon stiffness, with preliminary evidence suggesting potential value for monitoring rehabilitation-related changes.