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Article

Shear Wave Elastography of the Sciatic Nerve and Its Relationship with Posterior Chain Flexibility in Healthy Participants: An Observational Study

by
Charles Cotteret
,
Jaime Almazán-Polo
* and
Ángel González-de-la-Flor
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Sports, European University of Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Madrid, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sensors 2025, 25(9), 2885; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25092885
Submission received: 2 April 2025 / Revised: 25 April 2025 / Accepted: 2 May 2025 / Published: 2 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Physical Sensors)

Abstract

Introduction: Shear wave elastography (SWE) has been widely used to assess the mechanical properties of peripheral nerves, including the sciatic nerve. However, the relationship between sciatic nerve stiffness and posterior chain flexibility remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to examine differences in sciatic nerve stiffness and shear wave speed (SWS) based on limb dominance and hamstring flexibility, and to explore their association with posterior chain mobility assessed through AKE and ASLR tests in healthy individuals. Methods: An observational study was conducted on 25 healthy, physically active participants (49 lower limbs). Sciatic nerve stiffness was measured using SWE at a standardized location in the posterior thigh. Posterior chain flexibility was assessed using the Active Knee Extension (AKE) and Active Straight Leg Raise (ASLR) tests. Participants were categorized based on hamstring flexibility, and comparisons were made between dominant and non-dominant limbs. Results: Participants with limited hamstring flexibility exhibited significantly higher AKE and ASLR values (p < 0.001) and showed an increased stiffness and SWS towards greater sciatic nerve (p = 0.05), although correlations between SWE values and flexibility tests were not significant. No significant differences were found between dominant and non-dominant limbs in AKE (p = 0.28), ASLR (p = 0.47), SWE (p = 0.38), or SWS (p = 0.34) values. Conclusion: Although no significant correlations were found between SWE parameters and flexibility tests, individuals with limited posterior chain mobility exhibited higher sciatic nerve stiffness in healthy participants.
Keywords: ultrasound; shear wave elastography; posterior chain; flexibility; sciatic nerve ultrasound; shear wave elastography; posterior chain; flexibility; sciatic nerve

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MDPI and ACS Style

Cotteret, C.; Almazán-Polo, J.; González-de-la-Flor, Á. Shear Wave Elastography of the Sciatic Nerve and Its Relationship with Posterior Chain Flexibility in Healthy Participants: An Observational Study. Sensors 2025, 25, 2885. https://doi.org/10.3390/s25092885

AMA Style

Cotteret C, Almazán-Polo J, González-de-la-Flor Á. Shear Wave Elastography of the Sciatic Nerve and Its Relationship with Posterior Chain Flexibility in Healthy Participants: An Observational Study. Sensors. 2025; 25(9):2885. https://doi.org/10.3390/s25092885

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cotteret, Charles, Jaime Almazán-Polo, and Ángel González-de-la-Flor. 2025. "Shear Wave Elastography of the Sciatic Nerve and Its Relationship with Posterior Chain Flexibility in Healthy Participants: An Observational Study" Sensors 25, no. 9: 2885. https://doi.org/10.3390/s25092885

APA Style

Cotteret, C., Almazán-Polo, J., & González-de-la-Flor, Á. (2025). Shear Wave Elastography of the Sciatic Nerve and Its Relationship with Posterior Chain Flexibility in Healthy Participants: An Observational Study. Sensors, 25(9), 2885. https://doi.org/10.3390/s25092885

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