A treatment algorithm for managing Achilles tendinopathy: new treatment options

Musculoskeletal injuries in British Army recruits: a prospective study of diagnosis-specific incidence and rehabilitation times

Background

Musculoskeletal injuries during initial military training are a significant medical problem facing military organisations globally. In order to develop an injury management programme, this study aims to quantify the incidence and rehabilitation times for injury specific diagnoses.

Methods

This was a prospective follow-up study of musculoskeletal injuries in 6608 British Army recruits during a 26-week initial military training programme over a 2-year period. Incidence and rehabilitation times for injury specific diagnoses were recorded and analysed.

Results

During the study period the overall incidence of musculoskeletal injuries was 48.6%, and the most common diagnosis was iliotibial band syndrome (6.2%). A significant proportion of the injuries occurred during the first 11 weeks of the programme. The longest rehabilitation times were for stress fractures of the femur, calcaneus and tibia (116 ± 17 days, 92 ± 12 days, and 85 ± 11 days, respectively). The combination of high incidence and lengthy rehabilitation indicates that medial tibial stress syndrome had the greatest impact on training, accounting for almost 20% of all days spent in rehabilitation.

Conclusion

When setting prevention priorities consideration should be given to both the incidence of specific injury diagnoses and their associated time to recovery.

Eccentric exercise training in chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review on different protocols

Although eccentric exercise training has shown favorable results in chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy, the optimum dosage remains unknown. A systematic review of the literature was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, in order to describe different exercise protocols and to determine the most effective training parameters. An extensive search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and CENTRAL revealed 14 randomized and clinical controlled trials. Strong evidence was found for the Alfredson exercise protocol. In this 12-week protocol, exercises are performed 3 × 15 repetitions twice daily, both with a straight and bent knee. Exercises are performed at slow speed, and load is increased when exercises are without pain. Strong evidence was also found for gradual onset of exercises during the first week of the Alfredson program, but no uniformity of protocols exists. Other exercise protocols did achieve similar results, but many studies had some methodological shortcomings or lacked a detailed description of their training parameters. Because of the heterogeneity of study populations and outcome measures, and lack of reporting of training compliance data, a definitive conclusion regarding the most effective training parameters could not be made. Further research comparing the content of different exercise protocols is warranted.

Gastrocnemius shortening and heel pain

Pain and reduced function caused by disorders of either the plantar fascia or the Achilles tendon are common. Although heel pain is not a major public health problem it affects millions of people each year. For most patients, time and first-line treatments allow symptoms to resolve. A proportion of patients have resistant symptoms. Managing these recalcitrant cases is a challenge. Gastrocnemius contracture produces increased strain in both the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia. This biomechanical feature must be properly assessed otherwise treatment is compromised.

Enhanced collagen type I synthesis by human tenocytes subjected to periodic in vitro mechanical stimulation

Background

Mechanical stimulation (e.g. slow heavy loading) has proven beneficial in the rehabilitation of chronic tendinopathy, however the optimal parameters of stimulation have not been experimentally determined. In this study of mechanically stimulated human tenocytes, the influence of rest insertion and cycle number on (1) the protein and mRNA levels of type I and III collagen; (2) the mRNA levels of transforming growth factor beta (TGFB1) and scleraxis (SCXA); and (3) tenocyte morphology, were assessed.

Methods

Human hamstring tenocytes were mechanically stimulated using a Flexcell® system. The stimulation regimens were 1) continuous and 2) rest-inserted cyclic equiaxial strain at a frequency of 0.1 Hz for 100 or 1000 cycles. Data were normalized to unstimulated (non-stretched) control groups for every experimental condition. qPCR was performed to determine relative mRNA levels and quantitative immunocytochemistry image analysis was used to assess protein levels and cell morphology.

Results

Collagen type I mRNA level and pro-collagen protein levels were higher in tenocytes that were subjected to rest-inserted mechanical stimulation, compared to continuous stretching (p < 0.05). Rest insertion and increased cycle number also had significant positive effects on the levels of mRNA for TGFB1 and SCXA (p < 0.05). There was no direct relation between cell morphology and gene expression, however mechanical stimulation, overall, induced a metabolically active tenocyte phenotype as evidenced by cells that on average demonstrated a decreased major-minor axis ratio (p < 0.05) with greater branching (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The incorporation of rest periods in a mechanical stretching regimen results in greater collagen type I synthesis. This knowledge may be beneficial in refining rehabilitation protocols for tendon injury.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2474-15-386) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Association of Achilles tendinopathy and plantar spurs

Plantar spurs and Achilles tendinopathy are common causes of heel pain. In the authors' practice, it was anecdotally noted that patients with Achilles tendinopathy often presented with plantar spurs. Nonetheless, there is a shortage of studies investigating whether Achilles tendinopathy and plantar spurs exist concomitantly. A better understanding of the association between the 2 pathologies might help physicians recognize and treat both conditions, educate patients about Achilles tendinopathy and plantar spurs, and ultimately investigate possible underlying causes of both pathologies that could be addressed together. The authors examined the prevalence of plantar spurs in patients diagnosed with Achilles tendinopathy as well as demographic differences within the unilateral and bilateral Achilles tendinopathy populations. A total of 785 patient records were retrospectively reviewed. Mean patient age was 56.2±15.5 years (46.9% men and 53.1% women). Seventy-two (9.2%) patients were affected bilaterally by Achilles tendinopathy. Lateral radiographs were reviewed by an orthopedic surgeon to identify the presence of plantar spurs. A total of 329 (41.9%) patients with Achilles tendinopathy were found to have a concomitant plantar spur. Patients with unilateral Achilles tendinopathy and a plantar spur were more likely to be women (58.7% vs 49.8%, P=.020) and older (62.7 vs 51.7 years, P<.001). In the bilateral Achilles tendinopathy group, there were 46 (63.9%) patients with at least one foot presenting with a plantar spur. The study's findings suggest a significant association between Achilles tendinopathy and plantar spurs. Older women with Achilles tendinopathy are at greater risk of being affected by plantar spurs.

Effects of foot orthoses on Achilles tendon load in recreational runners

BACKGROUND

Achilles tendon pathology is a frequently occurring musculoskeletal disorder in runners. Foot orthoses have been shown to reduce the symptoms of pain in runners but their mechanical effects are still not well understood.

METHODS

This study aimed to examine differences in Achilles tendon load when running with and without orthotic intervention. Twelve male runners ran at 4.0 m·s(-1). Ankle joint moments and Achilles tendon forces were compared when running with and without orthotics.

FINDINGS

The results indicate that running with foot orthotics was associated with significant reductions in Achilles tendon load compared to without orthotics.

INTERPRETATION

In addition to providing insight into the mechanical effects of orthotics in runners, the current investigation suggests that via reductions in Achilles tendon load, foot orthoses may serve to reduce the incidence of chronic Achilles tendon pathologies in runners.

The effects of conventional physical therapy and eccentric strengthening for insertional achilles tendinopathy

STUDY DESIGN

Single-blind, randomized, clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

The effect of eccentric training for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy is well documented; however, its effect on insertional Achilles tendinopathy is inconclusive. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eccentric training on pain and function for individuals with insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

METHODS

All patients received a 12-week conventional strengthening protocol. Patients who were randomly assigned to the experimental group received additional eccentric exercises. Patients completed the Short Form-36 Health and Bodily Pain Surveys, the Foot and Ankle Outcomes Questionnaire, and the Visual Analog Scale at initial evaluation, after 6 weeks of therapy, and at 12 weeks after therapy.

RESULTS

Thirty-six patients (20 control and 16 experimental; average age 54 years; 72% women) completed the study. Both groups experienced statistically significant decreases in pain and improvements in function. No statistically significant differences were noted between the groups for any of the outcome measures.

CONCLUSION

Conventional physical therapy consisting of gastrocnemius, soleus and hamstring stretches, ice massage on the Achilles tendon, and use of heel lifts and night splints with or without eccentric training is effective for treating insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 2.

The injured runner

Running is often recommended by physicians to maintain a healthy lifestyle. As more individuals participate in running-related activities, clinicians must be increasingly aware of common injuries. Training errors leading to overuse are the most common underlying factors in most running-related injuries. Clinicians need to keep in mind that the presenting injury is frequently the result of an inability to compensate for a primary dysfunction at another site. Although imaging may be helpful in differentiating among diagnoses with similar clinical presentations, a detailed history and physical examination are essential in making a correct diagnosis.

Effectiveness of the Alfredson protocol compared with a lower repetition-volume protocol for midportion Achilles tendinopathy: a randomized controlled trial

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness of the Alfredson eccentric heel-drop protocol with a "do-as-tolerated" protocol for nonathletic individuals with midportion Achilles tendinopathy.

BACKGROUND

The Alfredson protocol recommends the completion of 180 eccentric heel drops a day. However, completing this large number of repetitions is time consuming and potentially uncomfortable. There is a need to investigate varying exercise dosages that minimize the discomfort yet retain the clinical benefits.

METHODS

Twenty-eight individuals from outpatient physiotherapy departments were randomized to either the standard (n = 15) or the do-as-tolerated (n = 13) 6-week intervention protocol. Apart from repetition volume, all other aspects of management were standardized between groups. Tendinopathy clinical severity was assessed with the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). Both were assessed at baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks. Treatment satisfaction was assessed at week 6. Adverse effects were also monitored.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant within-group improvement in VISA-A score for both groups (standard, P = .03; do as tolerated, P<.001) and VAS pain for the do-as-tolerated group (P = .001) at week 6, based on the intention-to-treat analysis. There was a statistically significant between-group difference in VISA-A scores at week 3, based on both the intention-to-treat (P = .004) and per-protocol analyses (P = .007), partly due to a within-group deterioration at week 3 in the standard group. There were no statistically significant between-group differences for VISA-A and VAS pain scores at week 6, the completion of the intervention. There was no significant association between satisfaction and treatment groups at week 6. No adverse effects were reported.

CONCLUSION

Performing a 6-week do-as-tolerated program of eccentric heel-drop exercises, compared to the recommended 180 repetitions per day, did not lead to lesser improvement for individuals with midportion Achilles tendinopathy, based on VISA-A and VAS scores.

PRP treatment effects on degenerative tendinopathy - an in vitro model study

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become a popular option for the treatment of injured tendons. However, the efficacy of PRP treatment is a matter of heated debate in orthopaedics and sports medicine. In this study, we used a cell culture model to evaluate the potential effects of PRP treatment on degenerative tendinopathy. The in vitro model, which uses the current concept of "diseases-in-a-dish", consisted of tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSCs) that were derived from rabbit tendons and cultured in differentiating media with and without autologous platelet-rich clot releasate (PRCR). We found that 10% PRCR treatment of TSCs blocked their non-tenogenic differentiation, as evidenced by the marked decrease in lipid droplets, proteoglycan accumulation, and calcium deposition on cell surfaces. Moreover, the protein markers for non-tenocytes (adiponectin, collagen type II, and osteocalcin) were either minimally expressed or greatly reduced. However, after TSCs underwent non-tenogenic differentiation by pre-treatment in non-tenogenic media for two days, PRCR only slightly reduced adipogenesis and osteogenesis of TSCs, although chondrogenesis was markedly suppressed. Finally, PRCR treatment after pre-treatment of TSCs in non-tenogenic media for one week had little effect on any of the three nontenogenic differentiations of TSCs. These findings suggest that the injection of PRP in clinics may not be able to effectively reverse the degenerative conditions of late-stage tendinopathy, which are characterized by lipid depositions, proteoglycan accumulation, and calcification, either alone or in combination.

The use of platelet-rich plasma in the nonsurgical management of sports injuries: hype or hope?

Interest in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has skyrocketed over the last decade, with a growing body of research contributing to both excitement and skepticism regarding its use. Despite mixed opinions in the medical field, interest from the public has fueled increased utilization of PRP for musculoskeletal conditions, particularly those that are difficult to treat such as chronic, degenerative tendinopathy and osteoarthritis. PRP's reputation as a “natural healer” and stories in the lay press featuring the use of PRP by professional athletes and celebrities has created a lucrative market for PRP even absent insurance reimbursement, casting further doubt regarding motivation for use by some practitioners. Research of PRP is clouded by the fact that PRP is a heterogeneous term representing a variety of different platelet preparations and there are many variables in technique and postprocedure rehabilitation, all of which may have significant effects on outcome. This article discusses definitions and classification of PRP, reviews rationale and evidence for use of PRP in chronic tendon injuries and osteoarthritis, and looks at future directions.

Can local corticosteroid injection in the retrocalcaneal bursa lead to rupture of the Achilles tendon and the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle?

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study is to explain the cause-effect relationship in three patients who reported combined ruptures of the Achilles tendon and the gastrosoleus complex 6 months after they had received corticosteroids injections for the management of retrocalcaneal bursitis.

METHODS

Three cryopreserved cadavers (three men, three left legs) were examined to assess the anatomic connection between the retrocalcaneal bursa and the Achilles tendon (distal and anterior fibers). Blue triptan medium contrast was injected.

RESULTS

An unexpected connection between the retrocalcaneal bursa and the anterior fibers of the Achilles tendon was found in all instances.

CONCLUSIONS

Local corticosteroid injection of the retrocalcaneal bursa may help the symptoms of retrocalcanear bursitis, but pose a risk of Achilles tendon rupture. This risk-benefit has to be taken into account when corticosteroid injections are prescribed to professional and high-level athletes.

Whole-body vibration versus eccentric training or a wait-and-see approach for chronic Achilles tendinopathy: a randomized clinical trial

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES

To test the hypothesis that whole-body vibration training results in greater improvements in symptoms and pain, structural changes, and muscle flexibility and strength of the triceps surae muscle-tendon unit than those achieved with eccentric training or with a wait-and-see approach.

BACKGROUND

The potential use of vibration training for the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy has not been explored.

METHODS

Fifty-eight patients (mean age, 46.0 years) with Achilles tendinopathy were randomly assigned to a 12-week intervention using whole-body vibration training, eccentric training, or a wait-and-see approach. Pain, tendon structure and path, and muscle flexibility and strength were assessed at baseline and follow-up, and compared using mixed-factor analyses of variance.

RESULTS

Pain improvements at the midsection of the tendon were greater in the vibration- and eccentric-training groups than in the wait-and-see group (mean difference from the vibration-training group, -18.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -35.0, -1.1; mean difference from the eccentric-training group, -27.0; 95% CI: -50.9, -3.1). Improvements in pain at the musculotendinous junction were greater in the eccentric-training group than in the other groups (mean difference from the vibration-training group, -31.4; 95% CI: -60.7, -2.0; mean difference from the wait-and-see group, -50.2; 95% CI: -82.3, -18.1). Improvements in most participants were achieved in the vibration-training group, followed by the eccentric-training group.

CONCLUSION

Vibration training may be an alternative or a complementary treatment in patients who do not respond well to eccentric training, especially in those with insertional pain.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapy, level 2b-.

What is the best clinical test for Achilles tendinopathy?

BACKGROUND

Differential diagnosis of Achilles pathology is demanding. This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests identified for a chronic mid body Achilles tendinopathy. Ultrasound scanning provides the reference standard.

METHODS

Twenty-one participants with, and without, an Achilles tendinopathy, had an ultrasound scan followed immediately by the application of ten clinical tests. The accuracy and reproducibility of each test was determined.

RESULTS

The most valid tests are; pain on palpation of the tendon (sensitivity 84%, specificity 73%, kappa 0.74-0.96) and the subjective reporting of pain 2-6 cm above the insertion into the calcaneum (sensitivity 78%, specificity 77%, kappa 0.75-0.81).

CONCLUSION

Only location of pain and pain on palpation were found to be sufficiently reliable and accurate, to be recommended for use.

Injectable treatments for noninsertional achilles tendinosis: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Although there has been a recent increase in interest regarding injectable therapy for noninsertional Achilles tendinosis, there are currently no clear treatment guidelines for managing patients with this condition. The objective of this study was (1) to conduct a systematic review of clinical outcomes following injectable therapy of noninsertional Achilles tendinosis, (2) to identify patient-specific factors that are prognostic of treatment outcomes, (3) to provide treatment recommendations based on the best available literature, and (4) to identify knowledge deficits that require further investigation.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE (1948 to March week 1 2012) and EMBASE (1980 to 2012 week 9) for clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of injectable therapies for noninsertional Achilles tendinosis. Specifically, we included randomized controlled trials and cohort studies with a comparative control group. Data abstraction was performed by 2 independent reviewers. The Oxford Level of Evidence Guidelines and GRADE recommendations were used to rate the quality of evidence and to make treatment recommendations.

RESULTS

Nine studies fit the inclusion criteria for our review, constituting 312 Achilles tendons at final follow-up. The interventions of interest included platelet-rich plasma (n = 54), autologous blood injection (n = 40), sclerosing agents (n = 72), protease inhibitors (n = 26), hemodialysate (n = 60), corticosteroids (n = 52), and prolotherapy (n = 20). Only 1 study met the criteria for a high-quality randomized controlled trial. All of the studies were designated as having a low quality of evidence. While some studies showed statistically significant effects of the treatment modalities, often studies revealed that certain injectables were no better than a placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

The literature surrounding injectable treatments for noninsertional Achilles tendinosis has variable results with conflicting methodologies and inconclusive evidence concerning indications for treatment and the mechanism of their effects on chronically degenerated tendons. Prospective, randomized studies are necessary in the future to guide Achilles tendinosis treatment recommendations using injectable therapies.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, systematic review.

Intense pulsed light treatment of chronic mid-body Achilles tendinopathy

We conducted a randomised controlled trial to determine whether active intense pulsed light (IPL) is an effective treatment for patients with chronic mid-body Achilles tendinopathy. A total of 47 patients were randomly assigned to three weekly therapeutic or placebo IPL treatments. The primary outcome measure was the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment – Achilles (VISA-A) score. Secondary outcomes were a visual analogue scale for pain (VAS) and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). Outcomes were recorded at baseline, six weeks and 12 weeks following treatment. Ultrasound assessment of the thickness of the tendon and neovascularisation were also recorded before and after treatment.

There was no significant difference between the groups for any of the outcome scores or ultrasound measurements by 12 weeks, showing no measurable benefit from treatment with IPL in patients with Achilles tendinopathy.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:504–9.

Overuse injuries of the lower extremity

Overuse injuries are a common and important cause of morbidity in elite and recreational athletes. They are increasingly recognized in the sedentary population. This article reviews the major classes of overuse injuries of the lower extremity. The underlying pathologic condition is correlated with the imaging appearances, and the often variable relationship between the imaging appearances and patients' symptoms are reviewed. Attempts at imaged-based grading systems and the ability of imaging to predict patients' prognosis are considered. Image-guided injection therapy for tendinopathy is an important and rapidly changing area; the indications, risks, and potential benefits of these interventions are reviewed.

The effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on chronic achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Achilles tendinopathy is a pathological state resulting from repetitive loading or stress on the tendon. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is hypothesized to be an effective alternative intervention to surgery when other conservative therapies fail. This systematic review investigated the effectiveness of ESWT in the treatment of insertional and noninsertional Achilles tendinopathies.

METHODS

Articles were electronically searched from the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and SPORTDiscus using a comprehensive search strategy. Studies were included if they were prospective clinical trials examining the effectiveness of ESWT for insertional or noninsertional Achilles tendinopathies. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed using PEDro scale and Modified McMaster tool. The strength of the evidence was reported using the National Health and Medical Research Council body of evidence framework. A narrative summary of the findings was presented.

RESULTS

Four of the included studies were randomized controlled trials, and 2 were pre-post study designs. Common methodological deficiencies included not blinding the clinician and participants. There was consistent evidence from 4 reviewed studies on the effectiveness of ESWT in the management of patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathies at a minimum 3 months' follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our review showed satisfactory evidence for the effectiveness of low-energy ESWT in the treatment of chronic insertional and noninsertional Achilles tendinopathies at a minimum 3 months' follow-up before considering surgery if other conservative management fails. However, combining ESWT with eccentric loading appears to show superior results.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 1, systematic meta-analysis.

The management of mid-portion achilles tendinopathy with astym® and eccentric exercise: a case report

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a common injury among runners and recreational athletes. The conservative management of mid-portion AT typically includes eccentric exercise as recommended in multiple systematic reviews and practice guidelines. However, an eccentric program typically requires 12 weeks for satisfactory results and problems with compliance have been reported. Astym® is a non-invasive instrument assisted soft tissue treatment that can be used in the management of tendinopathies but there is limited published research on this treatment approach. The purpose of this case report is to present the management and outcomes of a patient with AT who was treated with eccentric exercise and Astym®.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The patient was a 56-year-old recreational tennis player referred to physical therapy with mid-portion AT of 6 weeks duration. Her primary complaints were pain with walking and an inability to play tennis. She was treated in physical therapy 2 times per week for 10 visits with treatment focused on Astym® and eccentric exercise.

OUTCOMES

By her 6(th) visit she subjectively reported being 75% functionally normal and was able to play a doubles tennis match. After 10 visits she reported that she was pain-free and able to play singles and doubles tennis without limitation.

DISCUSSION

The patient in this case report was able to return to her normal activities after 5 weeks of treatment with Astym® and eccentric exercise. These results were achieved in less than half of the time commonly reported with eccentric exercise alone.

CONCLUSION

This case suggests that Astym® combined with eccentric exercise may be a beneficial treatment approach for patients with AT.

Conservative management of Achilles Tendinopathy: a case report

OBJECTIVE

To chronicle the conservative treatment and management of a 77-year old female patient presenting with chronic pain of 8 months duration in the midportion of the achilles tendon diagnosed as achilles tendinopathy.

CLINICAL FEATURES

The main clinical feature was pain in the midportion of the achilles tendon, 2 to 6 cm proximal to the calcaneal insertion. Symptom onset was gradual and unrelated to any acute trauma or overt injury mechanism.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME

The conservative treatment approach consisted of medical acupuncture with electrical stimulation, Graston Technique®, eccentric calf training, and rehabilitative exercise prescription. Outcome measures included verbal pain rating scale, lower extremity functional scale (LEFS), and a return to activities of daily living (ADLs). The patient attained long-term resolution of her complaint and at 12 month follow-up reported no recurrence of symptoms.

CONCLUSION

A combination of conservative rehabilitation strategies may be used by chiropractors to treat midportion achilles tendinopathy and allow an individual to return to pain free ADLs in a timely manner.

Is there a role for acupuncture in the treatment of tendinopathy?

Tendinopathy is a debilitating condition in athletic and sedentary populations for which a gold standard treatment strategy does not yet exist. While the pathophysiology of tendinopathy is well understood, a debate remains as to the nature of the pain mechanism in tendinopathy which makes treatment selection challenging. This clinical discussion presents evidence to suggest that acupuncture may have a role in the treatment of tendinopathy, through the facilitation of tendon blood flow and fibroblastic activity, making recommendations for further research.

A prospective series of patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy treated with autologous-conditioned plasma injections combined with exercise and therapeutic ultrasonography

Chronic Achilles tendinopathy is a difficult problem to manage, because it can result in significant patient morbidity. We conducted a prospective case series involving 26 patients (2 bilateral cases) with painful and ultrasound-confirmed Achilles tendinopathy for a minimum duration of 6 months. Our objective was to assess whether this condition can be effectively treated with a treatment protocol combining an intratendinous autologous-conditioned plasma injection followed by a standardized rehabilitation protocol. The rehabilitation protocol consisted of full weightbearing in a pneumatic cast boot for 6 weeks, therapeutic ultrasound treatment, and an eccentric exercise program. Our results showed statistically significant improvements in terms of pain (p < .0001), other symptoms (p = .0003), activities of daily living (p = .0002), sports activities (p = .0001), and quality of life (p = .0002). We believe that the use of autologous-conditioned plasma can provide a potential treatment solution for chronic Achilles tendinopathy.

Physical therapies for Achilles tendinopathy: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a common condition, causing considerable morbidity in athletes and non-athletes alike. Conservative or physical therapies are accepted as first-line management of AT; however, despite a growing volume of research, there remains a lack of high quality studies evaluating their efficacy. Previous systematic reviews provide preliminary evidence for non-surgical interventions for AT, but lack key quality components as outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) Statement. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis (where possible) of the evidence for physical therapies for AT management.

METHODS

A comprehensive strategy was used to search 11 electronic databases from inception to September 2011. Search terms included Achilles, tendinopathy, pain, physical therapies, electrotherapy and exercise (English language full-text publications, human studies). Reference lists of eligible papers were hand-searched. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included if they evaluated at least one non-pharmacological, non-surgical intervention for AT using at least one outcome of pain and/or function. Two independent reviewers screened 2852 search results, identifying 23 suitable studies, and assessed methodological quality and risk of bias using a modified PEDro scale. Effect size calculation and meta-analyses were based on fixed and random effects models respectively.

RESULTS

Methodological quality ranged from 2 to 12 (/14). Four studies were excluded due to high risk of bias, leaving 19 studies, the majority of which evaluated midportion AT. Effect sizes from individual RCTs support the use of eccentric exercise. Meta-analyses identified significant effects favouring the addition of laser therapy to eccentric exercise at 12 weeks (pain VAS: standardised mean difference -0.59, 95% confidence interval -1.11 to -0.07), as well as no differences in effect between eccentric exercise and shock wave therapy at 16 weeks (VISA-A:-0.55,-2.21 to 1.11). Pooled data did not support the addition of night splints to eccentric exercise at 12 weeks (VISA-A:-0.35,-1.44 to 0.74). Limited evidence from an individual RCT suggests microcurrent therapy to be an effective intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Practitioners can consider eccentric exercise as an initial intervention for AT, with the addition of laser therapy as appropriate. Shock wave therapy may represent an effective alternative. High-quality RCTs following CONSORT guidelines are required to further evaluate the efficacy of physical therapies and determine optimal clinical pathways for AT.

Prognostic value of Achilles tendon Doppler sonography in asymptomatic runners

INTRODUCTION

Midportion Achilles tendinopathy (MPT) is a common problem in running athletes. Nevertheless, its etiology is not fully understood, and no valid prognostic criterion to predict the development of MPT could be identified to date. The purpose of the present study, therefore, was to evaluate whether power Doppler ultrasonography (PDU) is a suitable method to identify a predisposition to MPT in yet asymptomatic runners.

METHODS

At 23 major running events, 634 asymptomatic long-distance runners were tested for Achilles tendon thickness, vascularization, and structural abnormalities using a high-resolution PDU device (Toshiba Aplio SSA-770A/80, 12 MHz). In addition, their medical history and anthropometric data were documented. All subjects were contacted 6 and 12 months later and asked about any new symptoms. The collected anamnestic, anthropometric, and ultrasonographic data were subjected to regression analysis to determine their predictive value concerning the manifestation of midportion Achilles tendon complaints (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

The highest odds ratio (OR) for manifestation of MPT within 1 yr was found for intratendinous blood flow ("neovascularization," OR = 6.9, P < 0.001). An increased risk was also identified for subjects with a positive history of Achilles tendon complaints (OR = 3.8, P < 0.001). A third relevant parameter, just above the level of significance, was a spindle-shaped thickening of the tendon on PDU (Wald χ2 = 3.42).

CONCLUSIONS

PDU detection of intratendinous microvessels in the Achilles tendons of healthy runners seems to be a prognostically relevant factor concerning the manifestation of symptomatic MPT. This finding lays the foundation for an early identification of a predisposition to MPT as well as prophylactic intervention in as yet asymptomatic runners.

Platelet rich plasma treatment for chronic Achilles tendinosis

BACKGROUND

Chronic Achilles tendinosis is a relatively common but difficult orthopedic condition to treat. In this study, autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP), a concentrated bioactive blood component rich in cytokines and growth factors, was evaluated to determine its potential long-term efficacy in treating chronic cases of Achilles tendinosis resistant to traditional nonoperative management.

METHODS

Thirty patients with chronic Achilles tendinosis who did not respond to a minimum of 6 months of traditional nonoperative treatment modalities were treated with a single ultrasound guided injection of PRP. AOFAS scoring was completed for all patients pretreatment and at 0, 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-treatment. MRI and/or ultrasound studies were completed for all patients pre-treatment and at 6 months post-treatment. Prior to the PRP treatment all of the patients in this study were considering surgical Achilles repair for their severe symptoms.

RESULTS

The average AOFAS score increased from 34 (range, 20 to 60) to 92 (range, 87 to 100) by 3 months after PRP treatment and remained elevated at 88 (range, 76 to 100) at 24 months post-treatment. Pretreatment imaging abnormalities present in the Achilles tendon on MRI and ultrasound studies resolved in 27 of 29 patients at 6 months post-treatment. Clinical success was achieved in 28 of 30 patients.

CONCLUSION

Platelet-rich plasma was used effectively to treat chronic recalcitrant cases of Achilles tendinosis.

Psychology in sports injury rehabilitation

Using the case study of an 18-year-old track athlete with a chronic Achilles tendinopathy, this article identifies risk factors associated with training for major athletic events, such as the forthcoming Olympic Games, and presents evidence for adopting a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment and management of athletic injury, addressing the physical aspects of the injury, as well as the psychological needs of the athlete. The athlete's GP and practice nurse, as well as a podiatrist and sport psychologist, are all involved in providing an accurate clinical diagnosis, effective physical intervention, and psychological skills training to address emotional issues and encourage adherence to the rehabilitation programme. Nurses, in both secondary and primary care, can play a crucial role; in this case, the practice nurse recognised the adverse impact that the injury was having on the athlete's emotional wellbeing before making a referral to a trained sport psychologist.

The victorian institute of sports assessment - achilles questionnaire (visa-a) - a reliable tool for measuring achilles tendinopathy

BACKGROUND

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a common pathology and the aetiology is unknown. For valid and reliable assessment The Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment has designed a self-administered Achilles questionnaire, the VISA-A. The aim of the present study was to evaluate VISA-A as an outcome measure in patients with AT.

METHODS

A systematic search of the literature was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDro, Web of Science, and Cochrane Controlled trials to identify trials using VISA-A for patients with AT. This was followed by data mining and analysis of the obtained data.

RESULTS

Twenty-six clinical trials containing 1336 individuals were included. Overall mean VISA-A scores ranged from 24 (severe AT) to 100 (healthy). Mean VISA-A scores in patients with AT ranged from 24 to 96.6. Healthy subjects scored a minimum of 96. Only two groups of participants from two different studies had a post-VISA-A score as high as healthy individuals, indicating full recovery of the AT.

CONCLUSIONS

A VISA-A score lower than 24 is rarely attained in AT. Only few patients with AT reach an equivalent VISA-A score compared to uninjured healthy subjects following treatment. The VISA-A is a reliable tool when assessing AT patients, providing a good assessment of the actual condition from very poor, (score around 24) to excellent (a score of 90), which based on this systematic review and previous studies could be considered full recovery from AT.

Electromyographic analysis of an eccentric calf muscle exercise in persons with and without Achilles tendinopathy

OBJECTIVES

To compare surface electromyographic (EMG) activity of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles between persons with and without Achilles tendinopathy (AT) during an eccentric muscle exercise in different knee joint positions.

DESIGN

Repeated measures design.

SETTING

Research laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants (n = 18) diagnosed with AT and 18 control subjects were recruited.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Gastrocnemius and soleus muscle activity was examined by surface (EMG) during extended and flexed knee joint conditions while performing the eccentric training technique. The EMG data were expressed as a percentage of a maximum voluntary contraction (MVC).

RESULTS

EMG activity was notably higher (mean difference: 10%, effect size: 0.59) in those subjects with AT. Irrespective of the presence of AT, there was a significant interaction effect between muscle and joint position. The gastrocnemius muscle was significantly more active in the extended knee condition and soleus muscle activity was unchanged across joint positions.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that the presence of AT influenced calf muscle activity levels during performance of the eccentric exercise. There were differences in muscle activity during the extended and flexed knee conditions. This result does support performing Alfredson, Pietila, Jonsson, and Lorentzon (1998) eccentric exercise in an extended knee position but the specific effects of the knee flexed position on the Achilles tendon during eccentric exercise have yet to be determined, particularly in those with AT.

Treatment of chronic tendinopathy with ultrasound-guided needle tenotomy and platelet-rich plasma injection

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous needle tenotomy followed by a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection would result in pain reduction, functional improvement, or structural alterations in patients with chronic, recalcitrant tendinopathy.

DESIGN

Part A was a retrospective observational study. Part B was a prospective observational study.

SETTING

Outpatient academic sports medicine center.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients were required to have chronic (>3 months), recalcitrant tendinopathy treated with US-guided percutaneous tenotomy and PRP injection between January 2007 and October 2009. Fifty-one subjects met the inclusion criteria. Forty-one (80%) participated in part A of the study, whereas 34 subjects (67%) participated in part B.

METHODS

In part A, subjects completed a survey obtaining anthropomorphic, demographic, pain, and functional data. Subjects' platelet, hemoglobin, and white blood cell concentrations from their whole-blood and PRP samples were also obtained. In part B, subjects returned to the clinic after US-guided percutaneous needle tenotomy and PRP injection for a diagnostic US, which was compared with their preprocedure diagnostic US.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome measures included changes in pain, function, and tendon characteristics.

RESULTS

The tendinopathy location was in the upper extremity in 10 subjects (24.4%), was in the lower extremity in 31 subjects (75.6%), and had been present for a mean of 40 months. The mean postprocedure follow-up was 14 months, and the maximum benefits occurred 4 months postprocedure. There were mean functional and worst-pain improvements of 68% and 58%, respectively. Eighty-three percent of subjects were satisfied with their outcomes and would recommend the procedure to a friend. Although no tendons demonstrated a normal sonographic appearance after the procedure, 84% of subjects had an improvement in echotexture, 64% had a resolution of intratendinous calcifications, and 82% had a decrease in intratendinous neovascularity. None of the variables analyzed in this study demonstrated a significant correlation with pain or functional outcome measures.

CONCLUSIONS

In this case series, we found US-guided percutaneous needle tenotomy followed by PRP injection to be a safe and effective treatment for chronic, recalcitrant tendinopathy, and this treatment was associated with sonographically apparent improvements in tendon morphology. However, because of the intrinsic limitations of the study design and the heterogeneity of treated tendons, further research is required to corroborate our findings.

Tendinopathy in athletes

Overuse related tendon pain is a significant problem in sport and can interfere with and, in some instances, end an athletic career. This article includes a consideration of the biology of tendon pain including a review of tendon anatomy and histopathology, risk factors for tendon pain, semantics of tendon pathology, and the pathogenesis of tendon pain. Evidence is presented to guide the physical therapist in clinical decision-making regarding the examination of and intervention strategies for athletes with tendon pain.

The majority of patients with Achilles tendinopathy recover fully when treated with exercise alone: a 5-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

Systematic reviews indicate that exercise has the most evidence of effectiveness in treatment of midportion Achilles tendinopathy. However, there is a lack of long-term follow-ups (>4 years).

PURPOSE

To evaluate the 5-year outcome of patients treated with exercise alone and to examine if certain characteristics, such as level of kinesiophobia, age, and sex, were related to the effectiveness of the treatment.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

Thirty-four patients (47% women), 51 ± 8.2 years old, were evaluated 5 years after initiation of treatment. The evaluation consisted of a questionnaire regarding recovery of symptoms and other treatments, the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A) for symptoms, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, and tests of lower leg function.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients (80%) fully recovered from the initial injury; of these, 22 (65%) had no symptoms, and 5 (15%) had a new occurrence of symptoms. Seven patients (20%) had continued symptoms. Only 2 patients received another treatment (acupuncture and further exercise instruction). When compared with the other groups, the continued-symptoms group had lower VISA-A scores (P = .008 to .021) at the 5-year follow-up and the previous 1-year follow-up but not at any earlier evaluations. There were no significant differences among the groups in regard to sex, age, or physical activity level before injury. There was a significant (P = .005) negative correlation (-0.590) between the level of kinesiophobia and heel-rise work recovery.

CONCLUSION

The majority of patients with Achilles tendinopathy in this study fully recovered in regard to both symptoms and function when treated with exercise alone. Increased fear of movement might have a negative effect on the effectiveness of exercise treatment; therefore, a pain-monitoring model should be used when patients are treated with exercise.

Current treatment options for tendinopathy

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD

Tendon disorders are frequent and are responsible for much morbidity, both in sport and the workplace. Although several therapeutic options are routinely used, very few well-conducted randomised prospective, placebo, controlled trials have been performed to assist in choosing the best evidence-based management.

AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW

We performed a comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Embase databases over the years 1966 - 2010 to review the best evidence-based options for the management of patients with tendinopathy.

WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN

The reader will obtain information on the available medical and surgical therapies used to manage tendinopathy-related symptoms. The effectiveness of therapies, the length of management and the adverse effects are examined.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

Management of tendinopathy is often anecdotic and lacking well-researched scientific evidence. Teaching patients to control the symptoms may be more beneficial than leading them to believe that tendinopathy is fully curable.

Illness perceptions and mood states are associated with injury-related outcomes in athletes

BACKGROUND

Athletes have to cope adequately with the consequences of their injury in order to return into sports as soon as possible. Besides the physical characteristics of the injury, illness perceptions and emotional responses impact the behavioural responses to the injury.

PURPOSE

To apply Leventhal's Common Sense Model as a theoretical framework in the field of sports medicine, pertaining to injured athletes.

METHODS

In a sample of 95 injured athletes participating in different sports, sociodemographic, injury and sport-related characteristics, the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised-Sports (IPQ-R-S) and the Profile Of Mood States were assessed.

RESULTS

Injured athletes' most experienced symptoms were pain (82%) and loss of strength (50%), associated with a high controllability; they see their injury as not chronic, with minor consequences for daily life and minor emotional consequences. Athletes with an injury of longer duration have minor psychological attributions, 28% suffer from fatigue, which is strongly related to a negative mood state.

CONCLUSIONS

Illness perceptions and mood states are related to injury characteristics. Clinicians ought to incorporate patients' views about their injuries into their treatment in order to increase the concordance between patient's and clinician's perceptions, thereby increasing chances of a quick and uneventful recovery.

The effect of kinesiotape on function, pain, and motoneuronal excitability in healthy people and people with Achilles tendinopathy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of kinesiotape on hop distance, pain, and motoneuronal excitability in healthy people and people with Achilles tendinopathy (AT).

DESIGN

Within-subject design.

SETTING

An academic health science center, which is an acute London National Health Service trust.

PARTICIPANTS

With ethical approval and informed consent, a convenience sample of 26 healthy people and 29 people with AT were recruited. Seven participants were lost after functional testing, leaving 24 participants in each group.

INTERVENTIONS

Kinesiotape applied over the Achilles tendon.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The single-leg hop test and visual analog scale were measured with and without the tape. Using the Hoffman (H) reflex, change in motoneuronal excitability of calf muscles was measured before tape application, with the tape on and after its removal.

RESULTS

There were no changes to hop distance when tape was applied (P = 0.55). Additionally, there were no changes to pain (P = 0.74). The H reflex amplitude of soleus and gastrocnemius increased in the healthy group after its removal (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively), whereas the H reflex remained unchanged in people with AT (P = 0.43 and 0.16, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Calf muscles were facilitated by kinesiotape in healthy participants. Despite this, there was no change to hop distance. Kinesiotape had no effect on hop distance, pain, or motoneuronal excitability in people with AT. These results do not support the use of kinesiotape applied in this way for this condition.

Evidence-supported rehabilitation of patellar tendinopathy

Chronic tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal disorder that frequently affects athletes who train and compete at all levels. This Clinical Commentary presents a review of the etiology, incidence, and contributory factors related specifically to patellar tendinopathy. Examination and differential diagnosis considerations are provided, and an evidence-based, staged rehabilitation program is described.

Ultrasound-guided treatments for chronic Achilles tendinopathy: an update and current status

Minimally-invasive treatments for chronic Achilles tendinopathy may prevent the need for surgery when conservative methods have failed. Whilst injections have traditionally been used to manage symptoms, recently described therapies may also have disease-modifying potential. Ultrasound provides the ability to guide therapeutic interventions, ensuring that treatment is delivered to the exact site of pathology. Treatments can be broadly categorised according to their intended therapeutic targets, although some may act through several possible mechanisms. In this article, we review the ultrasound-guided techniques currently used to treat chronic Achilles tendinopathy, with reference to the available literature. There is strong pilot-level evidence supporting the use of many of these techniques, although large definitive trials are lacking. An approach towards the management of chronic Achilles tendinopathy is suggested.