Nonoperative treatment of midportion Achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review

Autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells are safe for the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy is a disabling condition that affects more than 50% of runners. Pre-clinical studies in a large animal model of naturally-occurring tendinopathy similar to human Achilles tendinopathy has shown benefits of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) implantation. However, MSCs are advanced therapies medicinal products (ATMPs), with strict regulatory requirements. Guided by the regulator we carried out a first in man study to assess the safety and efficacy of autologous MSC injection in human patients with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Ten patients, mean age 47 with mid-portion Achilles tendon pain and swelling for more than 6 months, underwent autologous cultured cell injections (median 12.2 × 106, range 5-19 × 106 cells) into their Achilles tendon. At 24 weeks follow-up, no serious adverse reactions or important medical events were observed. MOXFQ, EQ-5D-5L, and VISA-A scores improved clinically at 12 and 24 weeks. VAS pain improved increasingly at 6, 12 and 24 weeks. MOXFQ Pain and VISA-A Scores improved > 12 points from baseline to 24 weeks in 8 patients. Maximum anteroposterior tendon thickness as measured by greyscale US decreased by mean 0.8 mm at 24 weeks. This phase IIa study demonstrated the safety of autologous MSC injection for non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy and provides proof-of-concept of the technique in patients, all of whom had previously failed conservative treatments for chronic disease and leads the way for a larger randomised controlled trial.

Asymmetric running is associated with pain during outdoor running in individuals with Achilles tendinopathy in the return-to-sport phase

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relationships between (1) Achilles tendon pain and loading symmetry, and (2) number of running bouts and symptom severity, during two weeks of outdoor running in individuals with Achilles tendinopathy.

DESIGN

Prospective, observational study.

SETTING

Biomechanics laboratory and outdoors.

PARTICIPANTS

Seventeen runners with Achilles tendinopathy in the return-to-sport phase of rehabilitation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Symptom severity was recorded with the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire. Running bouts and Achilles tendon pain during runs were recorded with daily training logs. Ground contact time was collected during runs with wearable sensors. Linear mixed modeling determined if the relationship between Achilles tendon pain and ground contact time symmetry during running was moderated by consecutive run days. Multiple regression determined the relationship between number of running bouts and change in VISA-A scores over two weeks, adjusted for run distance.

RESULTS

Greater ground contact time on the contralateral leg corresponded to increased ipsilateral tendon pain for each consecutive run day (b = -0.028, p < 0.001). Number of running bouts was not associated with 2-week changes in VISA-A scores (p = 0.672).

CONCLUSIONS

Pain during running is associated with injured leg off-loading patterns, and this relationship strengthened with greater number of consecutive run days. Number of running bouts was not related to short-term symptom severity.

Evolution of Sleep Duration and Screen Time Between 2018 and 2022 Among Canadian Adolescents: Evidence of Drifts Accompanying the COVID-19 Pandemic

PURPOSE

We quantified the joint evolution of sleep duration and screen time between 2018 and 2022 in a large sample of adolescents from Quebec, Canada, to ascertain changes that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A natural experiment design was used to compare variations from year to year and in association with the pandemic outbreak. Using structural equation modeling on data collected between 2018 and 2022 among adolescents attending 63 high schools, we analyzed the joint evolution of sleep duration and screen time while adjusting for previous year values, concurrent flourishing score, sex, age, and family level of material deprivation.

RESULTS

A total of 28,307 adolescents, aged on average 14.9 years, were included in the analyses. Between 2019 and 2022, sleep duration increased by 9.6 (5.7, 13.5) minutes and screen time by 129.2 (120.5, 138.0) minutes on average. In 2022, the adolescents spent almost equal amounts of time sleeping and using screens. Lower flourishing scores were associated with shorter sleep duration and lengthier screen time. Girls' screen time became similar to boys' over time.

DISCUSSION

Adolescents now spend almost equal amounts of time sleeping and using screens, a situation that calls for urgent public health actions. These findings highlight the importance of tracking changes in adolescents' behaviours over time, to design and implement interventions adapted to the changing health needs of different groups.

Does Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Applied to the Achilles Tendon Influence Ankle Functionality?

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy (rESWT) in enhancing ankle function in patients with Achilles tendon injuries. The choice of rESWT was based on previous success in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. The study involved an intervention group that received rESWT, and a control group that received sham therapy. The results revealed that rESWT led to significant improvements in single-leg vertical jump (d = 0.55, p < 0.05), indicating enhanced power generation and ankle functionality that were not observed in the control group. Additionally, the therapy resulted in increased ankle mobility, as observed by improvements in plantar flexion and heel-rise tests. Interestingly, these functional gains were not accompanied by changes in the Achilles tendon stiffness, suggesting that the benefits of rESWT may be more functional than structural. This study highlights rESWT as a promising tool for rehabilitation, particularly following Achilles tendon injuries. The study concluded that, although rESWT appears to improve certain aspects of ankle function, further studies with a larger and more diverse population over a longer period are necessary to confirm these findings and establish comprehensive treatment protocols.

Effectiveness of Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Erectile Dysfunction: An Analysis of Sexual Function and Penile Hardness at Erection: An Umbrella Review

The present umbrella review of five systematic reviews and meta-analyses was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (Li-ESWT) in the treatment of vascular origin Erectile Dysfunction (ED). A search was carried out in the databases of Pubmed, Scopus, Medline, Scielo and Embase. Participants were divided into two groups: an experimental group receiving Li-ESWT and a control group receiving simulated shock waves. The main variable of this study is ED, measured using the International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) and the Erection Hardness Score (EHS) scale. The results showed a statistically significant increase in the mean IIEF-EF score in the experimental group. Overall, four out of five articles reported an increase in the EHS score in the Li-ESWT group compared to the placebo. Concerning the treatment parameters, better outcomes were observed with an energy density of 0.09 mJ/mm2 and the application of 1500-2000 pulses. Additionally, a follow-up of 6-12 months resulted in greater improvement in ED compared to 3 months, although more studies investigating follow-ups beyond 12 months are needed. Obtaining conclusive and clear results is challenging; however, everything indicates that Li-ESWT is an innovative therapeutic alternative for vascular-origin ED due to its low risk and improvement in erectile function.

Exercise therapy for tendinopathy: a mixed-methods evidence synthesis exploring feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness

Background

Tendinopathy is a common, painful and functionally limiting condition, primarily managed conservatively using exercise therapy.

Review questions

(i) What exercise interventions have been reported in the literature for which tendinopathies? (ii) What outcomes have been reported in studies investigating exercise interventions for tendinopathy? (iii) Which exercise interventions are most effective across all tendinopathies? (iv) Does type/location of tendinopathy or other specific covariates affect which are the most effective exercise therapies? (v) How feasible and acceptable are exercise interventions for tendinopathies?

Methods

A scoping review mapped exercise interventions for tendinopathies and outcomes reported to date (questions i and ii). Thereafter, two contingent systematic review workstreams were conducted. The first investigated a large number of studies and was split into three efficacy reviews that quantified and compared efficacy across different interventions (question iii), and investigated the influence of a range of potential moderators (question iv). The second was a convergent segregated mixed-method review (question v). Searches for studies published from 1998 were conducted in library databases (n = 9), trial registries (n = 6), grey literature databases (n = 5) and Google Scholar. Scoping review searches were completed on 28 April 2020 with efficacy and mixed-method search updates conducted on 19 January 2021 and 29 March 2021.

Results

Scoping review - 555 included studies identified a range of exercise interventions and outcomes across a range of tendinopathies, most commonly Achilles, patellar, lateral elbow and rotator cuff-related shoulder pain. Strengthening exercise was most common, with flexibility exercise used primarily in the upper limb. Disability was the most common outcome measured in Achilles, patellar and rotator cuff-related shoulder pain; physical function capacity was most common in lateral elbow tendinopathy. Efficacy reviews - 204 studies provided evidence that exercise therapy is safe and beneficial, and that patients are generally satisfied with treatment outcome and perceive the improvement to be substantial. In the context of generally low and very low-quality evidence, results identified that: (1) the shoulder may benefit more from flexibility (effect sizeResistance:Flexibility = 0.18 [95% CrI 0.07 to 0.29]) and proprioception (effect sizeResistance:Proprioception = 0.16 [95% CrI -1.8 to 0.32]); (2) when performing strengthening exercise it may be most beneficial to combine concentric and eccentric modes (effect sizeEccentricOnly:Concentric+Eccentric = 0.48 [95% CrI -0.13 to 1.1]; and (3) exercise may be most beneficial when combined with another conservative modality (e.g. injection or electro-therapy increasing effect size by ≈0.1 to 0.3). Mixed-method review - 94 studies (11 qualitative) provided evidence that exercise interventions for tendinopathy can largely be considered feasible and acceptable, and that several important factors should be considered when prescribing exercise for tendinopathy, including an awareness of potential barriers to and facilitators of engaging with exercise, patients' and providers' prior experience and beliefs, and the importance of patient education, self-management and the patient-healthcare professional relationship.

Limitations

Despite a large body of literature on exercise for tendinopathy, there are methodological and reporting limitations that influenced the recommendations that could be made.

Conclusion

The findings provide some support for the use of exercise combined with another conservative modality; flexibility and proprioception exercise for the shoulder; and a combination of eccentric and concentric strengthening exercise across tendinopathies. However, the findings must be interpreted within the context of the quality of the available evidence.

Future work

There is an urgent need for high-quality efficacy, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and qualitative research that is adequately reported, using common terminology, definitions and outcomes.

Study registration

This project is registered as DOI: 10.11124/JBIES-20-00175 (scoping review); PROSPERO CRD 42020168187 (efficacy reviews); https://osf.io/preprints/sportrxiv/y7sk6/ (efficacy review 1); https://osf.io/preprints/sportrxiv/eyxgk/ (efficacy review 2); https://osf.io/preprints/sportrxiv/mx5pv/ (efficacy review 3); PROSPERO CRD42020164641 (mixed-method review).

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) HTA programme and will be published in full in HTA Journal; Vol. 27, No. 24. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Identifying characteristics of resistance-based therapeutic exercise interventions for Achilles tendinopathy: A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review describes resistance-based therapeutic exercise intervention characteristics for Achilles tendinopathy (AT) treatment (e.g., therapeutic dose, underlying mechanisms targeted by exercise) and assesses participant reporting characteristics.

METHODS

Seven electronic databases were searched; studies delivering a resistance exercise-focused treatment for individuals with AT were included. The Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) and the ICON 2019 'Recommended standards for reporting participant characteristics in tendinopathy research' checklists framed data extraction, and study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool 2018 version.

RESULTS

68 publications (describing 59 studies and 72 exercise programs) were included. Results demonstrate that therapeutic exercise interventions for AT are well reported according to the TIDieR checklist, and participant characteristics are well reported according to the ICON checklist. Various underlying therapeutic mechanisms were proposed, with the most common being increasing tendon strength, increasing calf muscle strength, and enhancing collagen synthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

While evidence suggests that resistance-based therapeutic exercise interventions are effective in treating AT, more reporting on program fidelity, adherence, and compliance is needed. By summarizing currently published AT exercise programs and reporting key intervention characteristics in a single location, this review can assist clinicians in developing individualized resistance training programs for people with AT.

Added mass increases Achilles tendon stress in female runners

CONTEXT

Achilles tendon (AT) injuries are common in female runners and military personnel where increased AT loading may be a contributing factor. Few studies have examined AT stress during running with added mass. The purpose was to examine the stress, strain, and force placed on the AT, kinematics and temporospatial variable in running with different amounts of added mass.

DESIGN

Repeated measure design METHODS: Twenty-three female runners with a rear-foot strike pattern were participants. AT stress, strain, and force were measured during running using a musculoskeletal model that used kinematic (180 Hz) and kinetic data (1800 Hz) as input. Ultrasound data were used to measure AT cross sectional area. A repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (α = 0.05) was used on AT loading variables, kinematics and temporospatial variables.

RESULTS

Peak AT stress, strain, and force were greatest during the 9.0 kg added load running condition (p < .0001). There was a 4.3% and 8.8% increase in AT stress and strain during the 4.5 kg and 9.0 kg added load conditions, respectively, compared to baseline. Kinematics at the hip and knee changed with added load but not at the ankle. Small changes in temporospatial variables were seen.

CONCLUSION

Added load increased stress on the AT during running. There may be an increased risk for AT injury with added load. Individuals may consider slowly progressing training with added load to allow for increased AT loading.

Comparability of the Effectiveness of Different Types of Exercise in the Treatment of Achilles Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a common condition both in athletes and the general population. The purpose of this study is to highlight the most effective form of exercise in managing pain-related symptoms and functional capacity as well as in a return to life activities, ensuring the quality of life of patients with AT, and creating a protocol to be used in rehabilitation. We conducted a systematic review of the published literature in Pubmed, Scopus, Science Direct, and PEDro for Randomised Controlled Trials concerning interventions that were based exclusively on exercise and delivered in patients 18-65 years old, athletes and non-athletes. An amount of 5235 research articles generated from our search. Five met our inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Research evidence supports the effectiveness of a progressive loading eccentric exercise program based on Alfredson's protocol, which could be modified in intensity and pace to fit the needs of each patient with AT. Future research may focus on the optimal dosage and load of exercise in eccentric training and confirm the effectiveness of other type of exercise, such as a combination of eccentric-concentric training or heavy slow resistance exercise. Pilates could be applied as an alternative, useful, and friendly tool in the rehabilitation of AT.

Ultrasound Measurement of Local Deformation in the Human Free Achilles Tendon Produced by Dynamic Muscle-Induced Loading: A Systematic Review

Achilles tendinopathy is the most prevalent lower limb tendinopathy, yet it remains poorly understood, with mismatches between observed structure and reported function. Recent studies have hypothesised that Achilles tendon (AT) healthy function is associated with variable deformation across the tendon width during use, focusing on quantifying sub-tendon deformation. Here, the aim of this work was to synthesise recent advances exploring human free AT tissue-level deformation during use. Following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science were systematically searched. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed. Thirteen articles were retained, yielding data on free AT deformation patterns. Seven were categorised as high-quality and six as medium-quality studies. Evidence consistently reports that healthy and young tendons deform non-uniformly, with the deeper layer displacing 18%-80% more than the superficial layer. Non-uniformity decreased by 12%-85% with increasing age and by 42%-91% in the presence of injury. There is limited evidence of large effect that AT deformation patterns during dynamic loading are non-uniform and may act as a biomarker of tendon health, risk of injury and rehabilitation impact. Better considered participant recruitment and improved measurement procedures would particularly improve study quality, to explore links between tendon structure, function, aging and disease in distinct populations.

Eccentric exercise is more effective than other exercises in the treatment of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy: systematic review and meta-analysis

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is one of the most frequent overuse injuries in the ankle. The evidence base for its conservative management AT continues to evolve, but there is still a gap in the evidence for the efficacy of any modality of treatment in high-quality studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the efficacy of EE in improving pain and function in adult patients with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy compared to other forms of exercise. A search was performed in PubMed, BIREME, SportDiscus, Cinahl, Web of Science and PEDro, in November 2022. The methodological quality was evaluated using the Risk of Bias 2 tool (RoB2) of the Cochrane collaboration, and the meta-analysis was performed using the Review Manager 5.1 program. 2024 articles were identified and eight fulfilled the inclusion criteria. RoB2 presented a final score with 62.5% of the studies presented "some concerns", and 37.5% (five and three articles, respectively) presenting "high risk" of bias. EE was effective for the managment of AT. The only variable for which a meta-analysis was possible was pain (five articles), analysed with the visual analogue scale/numerical visual scale. The mean difference (MD) in treatment effect using EE was - 1.21 (- 2.72 to - 0.30) with a 95% of confidence interval (CI), thus identifying a significant positive effect for the improvement of pain in patients with AT in whom EE was used. EE is effective in the management of AT. The meta-analysis shows the need for appropriately powered randomized controlled trials with better design, the use of standard outcome measures and well-planned protocols for conservative management of AT.Level of evidence: Level 1.Registration: CRD42018118016.

Foundational Principles and Adaptation of the Healthy and Pathological Achilles Tendon in Response to Resistance Exercise: A Narrative Review and Clinical Implications

Therapeutic exercise is widely considered a first line fundamental treatment option for managing tendinopathies. As the Achilles tendon is critical for locomotion, chronic Achilles tendinopathy can have a substantial impact on an individual's ability to work and on their participation in physical activity or sport and overall quality of life. The recalcitrant nature of Achilles tendinopathy coupled with substantial variation in clinician-prescribed therapeutic exercises may contribute to suboptimal outcomes. Further, loading the Achilles tendon with sufficiently high loads to elicit positive tendon adaptation (and therefore promote symptom alleviation) is challenging, and few works have explored tissue loading optimization for individuals with tendinopathy. The mechanism of therapeutic benefit that exercise therapy exerts on Achilles tendinopathy is also a subject of ongoing debate. Resultingly, many factors that may contribute to an optimal therapeutic exercise protocol for Achilles tendinopathy are not well described. The aim of this narrative review is to explore the principles of tendon remodeling under resistance-based exercise in both healthy and pathologic tissues, and to review the biomechanical principles of Achilles tendon loading mechanics which may impact an optimized therapeutic exercise prescription for Achilles tendinopathy.

New frontiers of tendon augmentation technology in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: a concise literature review

Tissue banking programs fail to meet the demand for human organs and tissues for transplantation into patients with congenital defects, injuries, chronic diseases, and end-stage organ failure. Tendons and ligaments are among the most frequently ruptured and/or worn-out body tissues owing to their frequent use, especially in athletes and the elderly population. Surgical repair has remained the mainstay management approach, regardless of scarring and adhesion formation during healing, which then compromises the gliding motion of the joint and reduces the quality of life for patients. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches, such as tendon augmentation, are promising as they may provide superior outcomes by inducing host-tissue ingrowth and tendon regeneration during degradation, thereby decreasing failure rates and morbidity. However, to date, tendon tissue engineering and regeneration research has been limited and lacks the much-needed human clinical evidence to translate most laboratory augmentation approaches to therapeutics. This narrative review summarizes the current treatment options for various tendon pathologies, future of tendon augmentation, cell therapy, gene therapy, 3D/4D bioprinting, scaffolding, and cell signals.

Neuromuscular and structural tendon adaptations after 6 weeks of either concentric or eccentric exercise in individuals with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

There is limited evidence on the neural strategies employed by the central nervous system to control muscle force in the presence of non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy (NIAT). Additionally, the neuromuscular mechanisms by which exercise may help to resolve tendon pain remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to first establish changes in the gastrocnemius-soleus motor unit firing properties after applying a training protocol of 6 weeks based on either controlled eccentric or concentric contractions in individuals with NIAT. Second, we want to determine changes in the level of pain and function and mechanical and structural properties of the Achilles tendon after applying the same training protocol. Additionally, we want to compare these variables at baseline between individuals with NIAT and asymptomatic controls.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A total of 26 individuals with chronic (>3 months) NIAT and 13 healthy controls will participate in the study. Individuals with NIAT will be randomised to perform eccentric or concentric training for 6 weeks. Motor unit firing properties of the medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius and soleus muscles will be assessed using high-density surface electromyography, as well as Achilles tendon length, cross-sectional area, thickness and stiffness using B-mode ultrasonography and shear wave elastography. Moreover, participants will complete a battery of questionnaires to document their level of pain and function.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval (ERN-20-0604A) for the study was obtained from the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Ethical Review Committee of the University of Birmingham. The results of the study will be published in peer-review journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN46462385.

The Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review

Achilles tendinopathy is one of the most common lower limb injuries in both athletes and the general population. Despite the plethora of conservative treatment options available for the management of Achilles tendinopathy, as many as one in four patients will go on to require surgery. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has emerged as a promising treatment option and has been successful in the management of other common musculoskeletal injuries such as plantar fasciitis. However, the evidence for ESWT in the management of Achilles tendinopathy remains inconclusive. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the current evidence for the use of ESWT in the management of midportion Achilles tendinopathy.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the databases MEDLINE (Pubmed), AMED, EMBASE, CINAHL, and CENTRAL. The databases were searched from their inception to December 2021. This was conducted to identify randomised control trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness of ESWT versus control treatment in the management of midportion Achilles tendinopathy.

Following a comprehensive search of the literature, a total of 283 articles were identified. Following the screening of titles and abstracts, 236 articles were excluded. The main reasons for exclusion were the identification of duplicates, non-randomised studies, and the use of ESWT on other pathology. Following the exclusion of 236 articles, 47 articles were retrieved for full-text review. Of these 47 articles, 40 were excluded leaving a total of 7 RCTs eligible for inclusion in this review. There was consistent evidence from 4 RCTs that ESWT is effective in the management of midportion Achilles tendinopathy.

This review suggests that ESWT is a safe and effective modality for treating midportion Achilles tendinopathy as it reduces pain and improves function. The best available evidence suggests that a combination of ESWT with eccentric exercises and stretching may be even more effective than ESWT alone. Further research is required to confirm this and to determine the optimum ESWT treatment protocol.

Fibrocartilaginous Tissue: Why Does It Fail to Heal?

Tendons and ligaments are critical components in the function of the musculoskeletal system, as they provide stability and guide motion for the biomechanical transmission of forces into bone. Several common injuries in the foot and ankle require the repair of ruptured or attenuated tendon or ligament to its osseous insertion. Understanding the structure and function of injured ligaments and tendons is complicated by the variability and unpredictable nature of their healing. The healing process at the tendon/ligament to bone interface is challenging and often frustrating to foot and ankle surgeons, as they have a high failure rate necessitating the need for revision.

Fear of Movement and Reinjury in Sports Medicine: Relevance for Rehabilitation and Return to Sport

Athletes are defined by their ability to move and are often accustomed to pain as it relates to their sports and exercise regime. The forced movement restriction and pain associated with an acute or overuse injury has a profound effect not only on their physical abilities but also on their psychological well-being and social context. With the goal of returning to sport, the rehabilitation focus historically has been on recovery of physical attributes, but more recent research is addressing the psychological factors. This Perspective proposes that-according to the current evidence in sports medicine-the fear that affects choice of treatment, rehabilitation, and return to sports is intertwined with physical capacity and recovery of function. Past injury is also 1 of the main risk factors for a sports injury; therefore, fear of reinjury is not irrational. For an athlete, the fear related to a sports injury encompasses the fear of reinjury along with fear of not being able to return to the sport at their highest performance level-and the fear of having lifelong debilitating pain and symptoms. This Perspective reviews the evidence for the influence of fear of movement and reinjury on choice of treatment, rehabilitation, and return to sport and provides suggestions on how to address this fear during the continuum of treatment and return to sports.

Patient perspectives on participation in exercise-based rehabilitation for Achilles tendinopathy: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is common, and can be traumatic or insidious in onset and short-lasting or persistent in nature. Factors influencing the experience of pain are poorly understood; little is known about mechanisms driving pain and the response (or lack of) to rehabilitation. Despite this, there is a growing body of evidence supporting the use of exercise to manage AT. Interestingly, variation in exercise approach does not appear to significantly impact outcome. Patients' perceptions of factors related to rehabilitation that may influence outcome could provide a valuable addition to help guide future research and practice.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to gain an insight into patients' experiences of participating in an exercise-based rehabilitation programme for AT.

METHOD

A qualitative interpretive description design. Data generated from semi-structured interviews were analysed thematically using the guidelines set out by Braun and Clarke.

FINDINGS

This is the first study to use a qualitative method of inquiry to gain data on the experiences of people undertaking exercise-based rehabilitation for AT. The four major themes that were identified from the data were: (1) 'understanding the impact' (2) 'expectations' (3) 'what matters' and (4) 'the burden of exercise'.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the uncertainty surrounding the mechanisms of effect of our treatments, the insights provide a platform from which researchers and clinicians can consider further in the management of people with Achilles tendinopathy. Specifically, it has highlighted that patients value a flexible, supportive approach embracing the biopsychosocial impact of AT on the individual.

Effect of difference in fixation methods of tendon graft and the microfracture procedure on tendon-bone junction healing

Background

There are generally two methods of fixation for tendon grafts used in ligament reconstruction: bone tunnel fixation and anchor fixation. The microfracture (Mf) procedure is a technique to induce bleeding from the bone marrow, and the bleeding may contain cells with differentiation potential. However, few studies have compared the effects of the Mf procedure with those of the fixation methods. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mf procedure on two tendon graft fixation methods: histological, gene expression, tendon graft thickness, and mechanical. We especially focused our investigation on junction healing of tendon grafts and bone in the two fixation methods.

Methods

We used 20 rabbits to evaluate tendon and bone healing in a peroneal tendon graft model. The rabbit models were divided into five groups according to the combination of peroneal tendon graft fixation method and Mf technique as follows: control group (C, n = 4), bone tunnel fixation without Mf procedure group (BT − Mf, n = 4), bone tunnel fixation with Mf procedure group (BT + Mf, n = 4), anchor fixation without Mf procedure group (A − Mf, n = 4), and anchor fixation with Mf procedure group (A + Mf, n = 4). All animals were sacrificed at 4 weeks postoperatively. The specimens underwent histological evaluation, mRNA analysis, tendon graft thickness at the tendon-bone junction, and biomechanical testing.

Results

Histological evaluation of the BT + Mf and A + Mf groups showed healing with fibrocartilage formation at the tendon graft-bone junction. The mRNA expression showed significant increase in type 2 collagen, Scleraxis, and SRY-box9 in the BT + Mf and A + Mf groups. In biomechanical tests, the BT + Mf and A + Mf groups showed significantly increased tensile strength compared with the BT − Mf and A − Mf groups (BT + Mf group, 21.6 ± 1.7 N; A + Mf group, 22.5 ± 2.3 N vs. BT − Mf group, 12.3 ± 2.4 N; A − Mf group, 11 ± 2.3 N).

Conclusion

The Mf procedure resulted in fibrocartilage formation at the tendon-bone junction in the BT and anchor fixation and improved the fixation strength at 4 weeks.

The clinical diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy: a scoping review

Background

Achilles tendinopathy describes the clinical presentation of pain localised to the Achilles tendon and associated loss of function with tendon loading activities. However, clinicians display differing approaches to the diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy due to inconsistency in the clinical terminology, an evolving understanding of the pathophysiology, and the lack of consensus on clinical tests which could be considered the gold standard for diagnosing Achilles tendinopathy. The primary aim of this scoping review is to provide a method for clinically diagnosing Achilles tendinopathy that aligns with the nine core health domains.

Methodology

A scoping review was conducted to synthesise available evidence on the clinical diagnosis and clinical outcome measures of Achilles tendinopathy. Extracted data included author, year of publication, participant characteristics, methods for diagnosing Achilles tendinopathy and outcome measures.

Results

A total of 159 articles were included in this scoping review. The most commonly used subjective measure was self-reported location of pain, while additional measures included pain with tendon loading activity, duration of symptoms and tendon stiffness. The most commonly identified objective clinical test for Achilles tendinopathy was tendon palpation (including pain on palpation, localised tendon thickening or localised swelling). Further objective tests used to assess Achilles tendinopathy included tendon pain during loading activities (single-leg heel raises and hopping) and the Royal London Hospital Test and the Painful Arc Sign. The VISA-A questionnaire as the most commonly used outcome measure to monitor Achilles tendinopathy. However, psychological factors (PES, TKS and PCS) and overall quality of life (SF-12, SF-36 and EQ-5D-5L) were less frequently measured.

Conclusions

There is significant variation in the methodology and outcome measures used to diagnose Achilles tendinopathy. A method for diagnosing Achilles tendinopathy is proposed, that includes both results from the scoping review and recent recommendations for reporting results in tendinopathy.

Backward Running on a Negative Slope as a Treatment for Achilles Tendinopathy in Runners: A Feasibility Pilot Study

CONTEXT

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a common musculoskeletal injury among runners. Eccentric exercises are considered first-line treatment. However, during the early stages of rehabilitation, patients are usually instructed to stop running. Backward running (BR) on a negative slope provides a similar eccentric load while enabling ongoing physical activity; thus, it may be suggested as an alternative treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the feasibility of a BR program as a treatment option for AT in runners.

DESIGN

Prospective, single-arm feasibility study.

SETTING

Outpatient clinic.

PATIENTS

Recreational runners diagnosed with AT and referred to the Meuhedet Health Services Physical Therapy Clinic in Jerusalem, Israel, from September 2019 to February 2020.

INTERVENTION

The patients completed a 5-week (9 sessions) rehabilitation program of supervised BR on a negatively inclined treadmill.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Compliance with the program was evaluated by calculating the percentage of patients who completed the full protocol with no adverse events. Personal running-related goals were set before the program and were assessed following rehabilitation using the goal attainment scaling method. Forward-running time until the onset of relevant Achilles tendon pain, and the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment Scale-Achilles were measured at baseline (T0), before treatment session 6 (T1), and after the last session (T2).

RESULTS

Among the 15 patients recruited, 14 (93%), average age 48.8 (10.4) years (86% males), completed the full protocol with no adverse events. Almost all participants (85.7%) achieved their running-related functional goals. Postintervention, the median forward-running time increased from 52.5 (92.5) to 900 (522.5) seconds (P = .008, effect size = .858), and the median Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment Scale-Achilles score improved by 28 points (P = .003, effect size = .881).

CONCLUSIONS

BR on a negative slope may be a feasible treatment method for runners suffering from AT. Future randomized control trials are required to further validate the efficacy of this method.

Autoregulation in Resistance Training for Lower Limb Tendinopathy: A Potential Method for Addressing Individual Factors, Intervention Issues, and Inadequate Outcomes

Musculoskeletal disorders, such as tendinopathy, are placing an increasing burden on society and health systems. Tendinopathy accounts for up to 30% of musculoskeletal disorders, with a high incidence in athletes and the general population. Although resistance training has shown short-term effectiveness in the treatment of lower limb tendinopathy, more comprehensive exercise protocols and progression methods are required due to poor long-term outcomes. The most common resistance training protocols are predetermined and standardized, which presents significant limitations. Current standardized protocols do not adhere to scientific resistance training principles, consider individual factors, or take the importance of individualized training into account. Resistance training programs in case of tendinopathy are currently not achieving the required intensity and dosage, leading to high recurrence rates. Therefore, better methods for individualizing and progressing resistance training are required to improve outcomes. One potential method is autoregulation, which allows individuals to progress training at their own rate, taking individual factors into account. Despite the finding of their effectiveness in increasing the strength of healthy athletes, autoregulation methods have not been investigated in case of tendinopathy. The purpose of this narrative review was 3-fold: firstly, to give an overview and a critical analysis of the individual factors involved in tendinopathy and current resistance training protocols and their limitations. Secondly, to give an overview of the history, methods, and application of autoregulation strategies both in sports performance and physiotherapy. Finally, a theoretical adaptation of a current tendinopathy resistance training protocol using autoregulation methods is presented, providing an example of how the method could be implemented in clinical practice or future research.

A criteria-based rehabilitation program for chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a common overuse injury in running-related sports where patients experience pain and impaired function which can persist. A graded rehabilitation program has been successful in reducing pain and improving function to enable a return to sport. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of a criteria-based rehabilitation program including strength and reactive strength targets, with a previously successful rehabilitation program on changes in pain and function using the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire. Secondary aims will be to assess changes in calf strength, reactive strength, and lower limb running and forward hop biomechanics over the course of a 12-week rehabilitation program, and long-term follow-up investigations.

METHODS

Sixty eligible participants with chronic mid-portion AT who train in running-based sports will be included in this study. They will be randomly assigned to a group that will follow an evidence-based rehabilitation program of daily exercises with progression guided by symptoms or a group performing 3 high-intensity rehabilitation sessions per week with individualised load targets progressing to reactive strength exercises. Testing will take place at baseline, week 6 and 12. Plantar flexor peak torque will be measured using isokinetic dynamometry, reactive strength will be measured using a drop jump and lower limb biomechanical variables will be measured during a single leg forward hurdle hop test and treadmill running using 3D motion analysis. Follow-up interviews will take place at 6, 12 and 24 months after beginning the program which will assess patient participation in sport and possible re-injury.

DISCUSSION

This is the first study to propose an individualised criteria-based graded rehabilitation program in patients in with chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy where progression is guided by strength and reactive strength outcome measures. This study will provide a comprehensive assessment of plantar flexor strength, reactive strength and lower limb biomechanical variables in running and forward hopping with the VISA-A questionnaire as the primary outcome measure and long term post-intervention follow-up assessments performed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT04384874 ). Registered retrospectively on April 23rd 2020.

Shockwave Therapy Plus Eccentric Exercises Versus Isolated Eccentric Exercises for Achilles Insertional Tendinopathy: A Double-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

There remains a lack of consensus regarding the treatment of Achilles insertional tendinopathy. The condition is typically treated with eccentric exercises despite the absence of satisfactory and sustained results. Shockwave therapy was presented as an alternative, but there is a paucity of literature, with good outcomes, supporting its use. The purpose of the present single-center, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial was to determine if the use of shockwave therapy in combination with eccentric exercises improves pain and function in patients with Achilles insertional tendinopathy.

METHODS

A total of 119 patients with Achilles insertional tendinopathy were evaluated and enrolled in the study from February 2017 to February 2019. Patients were allocated to 1 of 2 treatment groups, eccentric exercises with extracorporeal shockwave therapy (SWT group) and eccentric exercises with sham shockwave therapy (control group). Three sessions of radial shockwaves (or sham treatment) were performed every 2 weeks and eccentric exercises were undertaken for 3 months. The primary outcome was the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A) at 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes included the visual analogue scale, algometry, the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score, and the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey.

RESULTS

Both groups showed significant improvement during the study period; however, there were no between-group differences in any of the outcomes (all p >0.05). At the 24-week evaluation, the SWT group exhibited a mean VISA-A of 63.2 (95% confidence interval, 8.0) compared with 62.3 (95% confidence interval, 6.9) in the control group (p = 0.876). There was a higher rate of failure (38.3%) but a lower rate of recurrence (17.0%) in the SWT group compared with the control group (11.5% and 34.6%, respectively; p = 0.002 and p = 0.047). There were no complications reported for either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy does not potentiate the effects of eccentric strengthening in the management of Achilles insertional tendinopathy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Effects of eccentric exercises on improving ankle dorsiflexion in soccer players

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of targeted eccentric calf muscle exercises compared to regular training on ankle dorsiflexion in healthy adolescent soccer players with a decreased ankle dorsiflexion.

Methods

Male adolescent players (aged 14–21 years) from two professional soccer clubs were evaluated with the Weight Bearing Dorsiflexion Lunge Test (WBDLT) at baseline and after 12 weeks of this prospective controlled study. One club served as the control group and the other as the intervention group. Players with decreased ankle dorsiflexion (WBDLT) ≤ 10 cm) performed stretching and eccentric calf muscle exercises three times per week next to regular training in the intervention group, and performed only regular training in the control group. Primary outcome was the between-group difference in change in WBDLT between baseline and 12 weeks.

Results

Of 107 eligible players, 47(44 %) had a decreased ankle dorsiflexion. The WBDLT (± standard deviation) increased in the intervention group from 7.1 (± 1.8) to 7.4 (± 2.4) cm (95 % Confidence Interval (CI)[-0.493 to 1.108], p = 0.381) and in the control group from 6.1 (± 2.4) to 8.2 (± 2.9) cm (95 % CI [1.313 to 2.659], p < 0.001). The difference in change of WBDLT between both groups was statistically significant (95 % CI [-2.742 to -0.510], p = 0.005).

Conclusions

Targeted eccentric calf muscle exercises do not increase ankle dorsiflexion in healthy adolescent soccer players. Compared to regular training, eccentric exercises even resulted in a decreased calf muscle flexibility.

Trial registration

This trial was registered retrospectively on the 7th of September 2016 in The Netherlands Trial Register (ID number: 6044).

The implementation of resistance training principles in exercise interventions for lower limb tendinopathy: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

The primary purpose of this systematic review is to examine the literature on resistance training interventions for lower limb tendinopathy to evaluate the proportion of interventions that implemented key resistance training principles (specificity, progression, overload, individualisation) and reported relevant prescription components (frequency, intensity, sets, repetitions) and reported intervention adherence.

METHODS

Two reviewers performed a systematic review after screening titles and abstracts based on eligibility criteria. Identified papers were obtained in full text, with data extracted regarding the implementation of resistance training principles. Included articles were evaluated by the Cochrane risk of bias tool, with a scoring tool out of 10 used for implementation and reporting of the 5 key principles. Scientific databases were searched in November 2020 and included Medline, CINAHL, AMED, and Sportsdiscus.

RESULTS

52 randomised controlled trials investigating resistance training in five different lower limb tendinopathies were included. Although most studies considered the principles of progression (92%) and individualisation (88%), only 19 studies (37%) appropriately described how this progression in resistance was achieved, and only 18 studies (35%) reported specific instruction on how individualisation was applied. Adherence was considered in 27 studies (52%), with only 17 studies (33%) reporting the levels of adherence. In the scoring criteria, only 5 studies (10%) achieved a total maximum score of 10, with 17 studies (33%) achieving a maximum score of 8 for implementing and reporting the principles of specificity, overload, progression and individualisation.

CONCLUSION

There is meaningful variability and methodological concerns regarding the application and reporting of resistance training principles, particularly progression and individualisation, along with intervention adherence throughout studies. Collectively, these findings have important implications for the prescription of current resistance training interventions, including the design and implementation of future interventions for populations with lower limb tendinopathies.

Maximum dorsiflexion increases Achilles tendon force during exercise for midportion Achilles tendinopathy

Rehabilitation is an important treatment for non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy. To date, eccentric loading exercises (ECC) have been the predominant choice; however, mechanical evidence underlying their use remains unclear. Other protocols, such as heavy slow resistance loading (HSR), have shown comparable outcomes, but with less training time. This study aims to identify the effect of external loading and other variables that influence Achilles tendon (AT) force in ECC and HSR. Ground reaction force and kinematic data during ECC and HSR were collected from 18 healthy participants for four loading conditions. The moment arms of the AT were estimated from MRIs of each participant. AT force then was calculated using the ankle torque obtained from inverse dynamics. In the eccentric phase, the AT force was not larger than in the concentric phase in both ECC and HSR. Under the same external load, the force through the AT was larger in ECC with the knee bent than in HSR with the knee straight due to increased dorsiflexion angle of the ankle. Multivariate regression analysis showed that external load and maximum dorsiflexion angle were significant predictors of peak AT force in both standing and seated positions. Therefore, to increase the effectiveness of loading the AT, exercises should apply adequate external load and reach maximum dorsiflexion during the movement. Peak dorsiflexion angle affected the AT force in a standing position at twice the rate of a seated position, suggesting standing could prove more effective for the same external loading and peak dorsiflexion angle.

Psychological factors during rehabilitation of patients with Achilles or patellar tendinopathy: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

to examine psychological factors during rehabilitation of patients with Achilles or patellar tendinopathy as well as the association between psychological factors and tendinopathy severity, sport participation, and satisfaction with activity level and tendon function.

DESIGN

cross-sectional study.

SETTING

online survey platform.

PARTICIPANTS

119 patients (mean age: 44 years (SD 14)) diagnosed with Achilles or patellar tendinopathy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

A range of patient-reported psychological and outcome measures were recorded. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to establish the association between each psychological factor and outcome measures, adjusted for relevant confounders.

RESULTS

Psychological readiness and confidence to return to sports (I-PRRS) and pain catastrophizing (PCS) were significantly associated with tendinopathy severity (modified VISA), sport participation(OSTRC-O), and satisfaction. Kinesiophobia (TSK) and the importance to patients of returning to pre-injury activity level were significantly associated with sports participation and satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

The current study provides evidence of impairments in psychological factors during rehabilitation of patients with Achilles and patellar tendinopathy. Most investigated psychological factors were associated with tendinopathy severity, function, participation, and satisfaction. Physical therapists should recognize patients with lack of psychological readiness to return to sports and also patients with kinesiophobia or catastrophizing thoughts when experiencing pain.

Efficacy of Nonoperative Treatments for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Lateral epicondylitis is a common overuse injury affecting approximately 1 to 3 percent of the population. Although symptoms may disappear spontaneously within 1 year, the clinical guidelines for conservative treatment are not clear. The authors' objective was to examine the outcomes of nonsurgical treatments for lateral epicondylitis through a meta-analysis and provide a treatment recommendation using the available evidence.

METHODS

The authors searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify primary research articles studying conservative treatments (electrophysiotherapy, physical therapy, and injections) for lateral epicondylitis. The authors included randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals. Data related to outcomes (pain, grip strength, Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation score, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score) and complications were extracted.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. Electrophysiotherapy was effective in improving pain [mean difference, -10.0 (95 percent CI, -13.8 to -6.1)], Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation score [mean difference, -10.7 (95 percent CI, -16.3 to -5.0)], and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score [mean difference, -11.9 (95 percent CI, -15.8 to -7.9)]; and physical therapy improved pain [mean difference, -6.0 (95 percent CI, -9.7 to -2.3)] and Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation scores [mean difference, -7.5 (95 percent CI, -11.8 to -3.2)] compared to placebo. Injections did not improve any outcome measures. Patients who received electrophysiotherapy and injections reported higher adverse effects than physical therapy patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who received electrophysiotherapy and physical therapy reported statistically and clinically improved scores in pain and function compared to placebo. Injections may put patients at higher risk for adverse effects compared to other conservative treatments. When managing lateral epicondylitis conservatively, electrophysiotherapy and physical therapy should be prioritized before other interventions.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, I.

Nonoperative treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Insertional Achilles tendinopathy is difficult to manage, and there is no definite consensus on which nonoperative treatment is superior over the others. We aim to provide a clear summary of the best available evidence for nonoperative treatment specific to insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

METHODS

Literatures were searched in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from inception to October 2020. The results were evaluated independently by two reviewers and assessed against the inclusion/exclusion criteria. All included articles were assessed for methodological quality, and study characteristics were extracted.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies (containing 35 groups) were eligible for the final review. The treatments included eccentric training, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), injections, and combined treatment. Visual analog scale (VAS), Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles questionnaire, AOFAS, satisfaction rate, and other scales were used to assess the clinical outcome.

CONCLUSION

Current evidence for nonoperative treatment specific for insertional Achilles tendinopathy favors ESWT or the combined treatment of ESWT plus eccentric exercises.

Do we need to improve the reporting of evidence in tendinopathy management? A critical appraisal of systematic reviews with recommendations on strength of evidence assessment

Objective

To critically appraise the quality of published systematic reviews (SRs) of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in tendinopathy with regard to handling and reporting of results with special emphasis on strength of evidence assessment.

Data sources

Medline from inception to June 2020.

Study eligibility

All SRs of RCTs assessing the effectiveness of any intervention(s) on any location of tendinopathy.

Data extraction and synthesis

Included SRs were appraised with the use of a 12-item tool devised by the authors arising from the Preferred Reporting Items in Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement and other relevant guidance. Subgroup analyses were performed based on impact factor (IF) of publishing journals and date of publication.

Results

A total of 57 SRs were included published in 38 journals between 2006 and 2020. The most commonly used risk-of-bias (RoB) assessment tool and strength of evidence assessment tool were the Cochrane Collaboration RoB tool and the Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group tool, respectively. The mean score on the appraisal tool was 46.5% (range 0%–100%). SRs published in higher IF journals (>4.7) were associated with a higher mean score than those in lower IF journals (mean difference 26.4%±8.8%, p=0.004). The mean score of the 10 most recently published SRs was similar to that of the first 10 published SRs (mean difference 8.3%±13.7%, p=0.54). Only 23 SRs (40%) used the results of their RoB assessment in data synthesis and more than half (n=30; 50%) did not assess the strength of evidence of their results. Only 12 SRs (21%) assessed their strength of evidence appropriately.

Conclusions

In light of the poor presentation of evidence identified by our review, we provide recommendations to increase transparency and reproducibility in future SRs.

Utility of Percutaneous Ultrasonic Tenotomy for Tendinopathies: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

Chronic tendinopathy is a challenging problem that can lead to significant disability and limitation in not only athletics but also activities of daily living. While there are many treatment techniques described for this overuse injury, no single modality has been proven superior to all others. With recent advances in medical technology, percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy (PUT) for tendinosis has gained traction with promising results.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the data published on PUT for treatment of tendinopathy, analyze the outcomes of the procedure, including duration of pain relief and patient-reported outcomes, and assess the rate of complications associated with the procedure.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar.

STUDY SELECTION

The following combination of keywords was entered into the electronic search engines: ultrasonic tenotomy, ultrasound tenotomy, Tenex, and ultrasonic percutaneous tenotomy. The search results were screened for studies relevant to the topic. Only English-language studies were considered for inclusion. Studies consisting of level 4 evidence or higher and those involving human participants were included for more detailed evaluation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 4.

DATA EXTRACTION

Articles meeting the inclusion criteria were sorted and reviewed. Type of tendinopathy studied, outcome measures, and complications were recorded. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed on the data collected.

RESULTS

There were a total of 7 studies that met the inclusion criteria and quality measures-5 studies involving the treatment of elbow tendinopathy and 1 study each involving the management of Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis. PUT resulted in decreased pain/disability scores and improved functional outcome scores for chronic elbow tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis. Results for Achilles tendinopathy showed modest improvement in the short term, but long-term data are lacking.

CONCLUSION

PUT is a minimally invasive treatment technique that can be considered in patients with tendinopathy refractory to conservative treatment measures. Further higher quality studies are necessary to accurately assess the comparative effectiveness of this treatment modality.

Achilles Tendinosis Injuries-Tendinosis to Rupture (Getting the Athlete Back to Play)

Recreational athletes are susceptible to experiencing pain in the Achilles tendon, affecting their ability to complete daily activities. Achilles tendinosis is a degenerative process of the tendon without histologic or clinical signs of intratendinous inflammation, which can be categorized by location into insertional and noninsertional tendinosis. This condition is one that can be treated conservatively with great success or surgically for refractory cases. Currently, there is a lack of consensus regarding the best treatment options. This review aims to explore both conservative and operative treatment options for Achilles tendinopathy and Achilles tendon rupture.

Physical therapy for tendinopathy: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

OBJECTIVE

To summarize evidence in the last decade regarding the efficacy of physical therapy interventions to treat tendinopathy, as a single disease entity, as determined in systematic reviews (SRs) and/or meta-analyses (MAs).

METHODS

Electronic search of PubMed, PEDro, and Scopus database was performed from year 2010 to January 2020. The methodological quality of the identified studies was assessed using the AMSTAR 2 tool. Studies scoring 9 points or higher were further analyzed using GRADE principles.

RESULTS

40 SRs and/or MAs were included in qualitative synthesis, whereas only 5 MAs were included in quantitative synthesis. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) intervention showed a pooled improvement in pain reduction of 1.53 cm; 95% CI, [1.14, 1.91] (I² = 1.9%, p = 0.361) on visual analogue scale, and grip strength of 9.59 kg; 95% CI, [5.90, 13.27].

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate-quality evidence may support these following interventions: LLLT revealed a statistically and potentially clinically significant improvement in pain and function on the short-term. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy showed a statistically significant enhancement in pain and function at all follow-up durations; however, its clinical significance was undetermined. Eccentric exercise was supported by qualitative evidence only. Caution is advised when interpreting results due to possible pathological differences in tendinopathy at each region.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the Persian version of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A)

PURPOSE

Achilles tendinopathy is a prevalent overuse injury among athletes and in those with a sedentary lifestyle. Current evidence indicates that the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire is a valid, reliable and disease-specific outcome measure for assessing the clinical symptoms in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. The objective of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the VISA-A questionnaire into Persian (VISA-A-P) and evaluating its psychometric properties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cultural adaptation of VISA-A-P was conducted according to Beaton's guideline. The final version of VISA-A-P was handed to 61 patients for analysis of psychometric properties. Test-retest reliability, internal consistency, concurrent validity, item-total correlation, and floor/ceiling effect were evaluated in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. To assess test-retest reliability, 35 patients refilled the VISA-A-P twice within 5-7 days. Known-group validity was evaluated using 50 healthy individuals.

RESULTS

VISA-A-P showed excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.90), excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.95), strong correlation with FAAM, and moderate to strong correlation with FAOS questionnaires. There was a significant difference between the average score of patients (34.55 ± 18.24) and the healthy group (73.1 ± 20.10). VISA-A-P showed neither ceiling nor floor effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The VISA-A-P is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring the symptoms in Persian speaking populations with Achilles tendinopathy.Implications for rehabilitationAchilles tendinopathy is a debilitating overuse injury that insidiously affects tendoAchilles.VISA-A-P revealed acceptable validity and reliability and it could be used by Persian speaking clinicians and researchers to assess pain and function in people with Achilles tendinopathy.

Current Clinical Concepts: Conservative Management of Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy is a painful overuse injury that is extremely common in athletes, especially those who participate in running and jumping sports. In addition to pain, Achilles tendinopathy is accompanied by alterations in the tendon's structure and mechanical properties, altered lower extremity function, and fear of movement. Cumulatively, these impairments limit sport participation and performance. A thorough evaluation and comprehensive treatment plan, centered on progressive tendon loading, is required to ensure full recovery of tendon health and to minimize the risk of reinjury. In this review, we will provide an update on the evidence-based evaluation, outcome assessment, treatment, and return-to-sport planning for Achilles tendinopathy. Furthermore, we will provide the strength of evidence for these recommendations using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy system.

Post-Procedure Protocols Following Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been increasingly studied as a treatment for tendinopathy. Many factors may influence outcomes after PRP, including different protocols following administration. It was hypothesized that there would be heterogeneity in post-PRP protocols.

LITERATURE SURVEY

A systematized review of the literature on post-PRP protocols for tendinopathy was conducted using an electronic search of MEDLINE and Embase databases through September 2018.

METHODOLOGY

After duplicates were removed, English language articles involving adult patients who received PRP for tendinopathy were reviewed. Exclusion criteria included studies with fewer than 10 patients, PRP used to treat pathology other than tendinopathy, multiple protocols in one study, and surgical settings. Protocol specifics were extracted including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) restrictions before and after injection, postinjection restrictions on movement and weight bearing, use of orthoses, activity modifications, and postinjection rehabilitation protocols. Given limitations in the data, a meta-analysis was not performed.

SYNTHESIS

Eighty-four studies met inclusion criteria. Following PRP injection, weight-bearing restrictions were mentioned rarely (12% of protocols). Orthosis use was uncommon overall (18%) but more common in Achilles tendinopathy protocols (53%). The majority of protocols instituted a period of stretching (51%) and strengthening (54%). Stretching programs generally began 2-7 days following injection, and strengthening programs began within 2-3 weeks. Preinjection NSAID restriction was reported rarely (20%), whereas postinjection NSAID restriction was more common (56%), with a typical restriction of greater than 2 weeks (38%). Return to play or full activity was reported in 42% of protocols, most commonly at 4-6 weeks following injection.

CONCLUSION

Although the clinical effectiveness of PRP remains controversial, even less is known about the effect of post-PRP protocols, which may affect the outcomes attributed to PRP itself. No studies directly compare post-PRP protocols, and the protocols studied demonstrate substantial heterogeneity. Some consensus regarding post-PRP protocols exists, although the rationale for these recommendations is limited.

Comparison of Leukocyte-Rich Platelet-Rich Plasma and Leukocyte-Poor Platelet-Rich Plasma on Achilles Tendinopathy at an Early Stage in a Rabbit Model

BACKGROUND

Tendinopathy is still a great challenge in clinical practice, and the role of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is controversial. The influence of leukocytes on tendinopathy at an early stage has not been defined so far.

PURPOSE

To compare the effects of leukocyte-rich PRP (Lr-PRP) and leukocyte-poor PRP (Lp-PRP) on Achilles tendinopathy when applied at an early stage.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

METHODS

A rabbit Achilles tendinopathy model was induced by a collagenase injection. A week later, treatments were applied randomly on local Achilles tendon lesions: (1) 200 μL of Lr-PRP (16 legs), (2) 200 μL of Lp-PRP (16 legs), and (3) 200 μL of saline (16 legs). At 3 and 6 weeks after the collagenase injection, outcomes were evaluated by histology, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

RESULTS

The Lr-PRP group had a lower T2 signal intensity (P = .0377) and smaller diameter (P = .0193) and cross-sectional area (P = .0194) than the Lp-PRP group on MRI. Histologically, the Lr-PRP group had better scores than the Lp-PRP group (P = .0284 and P = .0188, respectively). Compared with the Lp-PRP group, higher gene expression and more protein synthesis of collagen I (P = .0160 and P = .0309, respectively) and CD163 (P < .0001 and P = .0411, respectively) were found in the Lr-PRP group. Considering TEM and biomechanical testing, the Lr-PRP group demonstrated more mature collagen fibers (P < .0001), a larger fiber diameter (P = .0005), a higher failure load (P = .00417), and higher tensile stress (P < .0001) than the Lp-PRP group.

CONCLUSION

Lr-PRP had more beneficial effects than Lp-PRP when delivered at an early stage during tendon repair.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Here, we showed that tendinopathy influenced the curative effects of PRP in vivo. An early-stage application of Lr-PRP had more benefits for the repair of tendinopathy than Lp-PRP in a rabbit model, which will supplement guidelines of PRP treatment on tendinopathy clinically.

Platelet rich plasma versus placebo for the management of Achilles tendinopathy: protocol for the UK study of Achilles tendinopathy management (ATM) multi-centre randomised trial

INTRODUCTION

In the UK, 150 000 people every year experience mid-substance Achilles tendinopathy. Typically patients are offered a range of treatment options such as exercise, electrotherapy, injections and surgery. With large variations in current practice, there is a pressing need to establish which treatments are effective and which are not. This is the protocol for a multi-centre randomised trial of platelet rich plasma (PRP) versus placebo injection for patients with Achilles tendinopathy.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Adult patients with mid-substance Achilles tendinopathy for longer than 3 months will be screened. Randomisation will be on a 1:1 basis, stratified by centre and bilateral presentation. Participants will be allocated to either a single PRP injection or placebo injection. A minimum of 240 patients will be recruited into the study; this number will provide 90% power to detect a difference of 12 points in Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles score at 6 months. Quality of life, pain and complications data will be collected at baseline, 2-week, 3-month and 6-month post-randomisation. The differences between treatment groups will be assessed on an intention-to-treat basis.

ETHICS, REGISTRATION AND DISSEMINATION

This trial was funded by Versus Arthritis and commenced on 1 September 2015 (Versus Arthritis 20831). National Research Ethic Committee approved this study on 30 October 2015 (15/WM/0359). It was registered on the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) registry with reference number ISRCTN 13254422 on 28 October 2015. The first site opened to recruitment on 27 April 2016 and the trial was in active recruitment at the point of submitting the protocol paper. The results of this trial will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal and will inform clinical practice with regard to the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy.

To Compare the Effect of Eccentric Exercises and Isometric Exercises for Achilles Tendinitis in Skaters

Background

Achilles tendinitis is one of the commonest injuries that happen to skaters. Roller skates traditionally have four wheels onto axles, one under the ball of the foot and one under the heel. Skaters have to maintain a closed kinematics chain which involves continuous trunk and hip flexion along with knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion. It creates angular tension and strain in the muscles and tendons which can lead to different types of musculotendinous injuries. As not many studies has not been done on the prospect in India this study was done with a objective to compare the effect eccentric exercise and isometric exercise on Achilles tendinitis for skaters.

Methods

A Quasi-experimental study with 40 subjects of the age group between 15 and 25 was administered the VISA-A Questionnaire and VAS as outcome measures. A sample size of 40 was separated into two groups of 20 participants each into Group A (eccentric) and Group B (isometric). Pre-test and post-test were done using the VISA-A questionnaire and VAS Scale in the Study period- 4 weeks.

Results

There was a significant difference during the comparison between pre-test and post-test values (p < 0.005) of isometric exercise and eccentric exercise by VISA-A questionnaire and VAS scale but there was insignificance during the comparison of post-test values (p > 0.005) of the same.

Conclusion

The study concludes that there is a significant improvement in Achilles tendinitis when assessed with VISA-A questionnaire and VAS Scale for both the exercise; that is, eccentric and isometric, individually but it isn’t statistically significant enough to choose one method of intervention over the other.

The efficacy of loading programmes for improving patient-reported outcomes in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Achilles tendinopathy is a common type of overuse condition, with isolated eccentric loading (ECL) programmes being the principal conservative treatment of choice. However, alternative protocols, involving different contraction types, have more recently been investigated. The purpose of the present review was to examine the evidence from studies comparing two or more different types of loading programmes in relation to patient-reported outcomes for people with Achilles tendinopathy.

METHODS

A systematic review was undertaken, and the risk of bias of included papers were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. An electronic search of CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase and SPORTDiscus was undertaken from their inception to May 2018. The eligibility criteria for selecting studies were randomized controlled or clinical controlled trials investigating two or more different loading programmes for chronic (>3 months) Achilles tendinopathy.

RESULTS

Seven articles were included in the review. Low-quality evidence exists that a do-as-tolerated modification of the Alfredson programme is more effective than the standardized programme at improving function in the short term. Very-low-quality evidence suggests that ECL is superior at reducing pain levels than concentric in isolation, but no more effective at improving pain or disability than concentric-eccentric programmes.

CONCLUSIONS

There is conflicting evidence regarding the superiority of ECL over other contraction types, challenging the current approach to managing Achilles tendinopathy. There is also evidence that do-as-tolerated repetition volumes are more effective at improving function in the short term compared with those recommended by the standardized Alfredson protocol.

Chinese Consensus on Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy

Background:

Insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) is a common finding in the clinic. However, consensus on its mechanism, pathological process, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation is lacking. Thus, the Chinese Society of Sports Medicine organized and invited experts representing the fields of ankle disease and tendinopathy to jointly develop an expert consensus on IAT.

Study Design:

A consensus statement of the Chinese Society of Sports Medicine.

Methods:

A total of 34 experts in the field of sports medicine and orthopaedics were invited to participate in the compilation of a consensus statement regarding IAT. Consensus was achieved according to the Delphi method. First, 10 working groups composed of 34 experts were established to compile draft statements about clinical problems related to IAT by reviewing and analyzing the available literature. An expert consensus meeting to discuss drafts was then arranged. Each statement was individually presented and discussed, followed by a secret vote. Consensus was reached when more than 50% of the experts voted in its favor. The strength of the proposed recommendation was classified based on the proportion of favorable votes: consensus, 51% to 74%; strong consensus, 75% to 99%; unanimity, 100%.

Results:

Of the 10 expert consensus statements on the clinical diagnosis and treatment of IAT, there was strong consensus for 8 statements and unanimity for 2 statements.

Conclusion:

This expert consensus focused on the concepts, causes, pathological process, clinical diagnosis, and treatment of IAT. Accepted recommendations in these areas which will assist clinicians in carrying out standardized management of related diseases.

[Differential diagnosis of heel pain]

"Heel pain" describes a very common reason for foot orthopedic consultation and the further differential diagnostic investigation is crucial for the choice of correct treatment. In the treatment of frequent underlying diseases, such as plantar fasciitis or insertional tendinopathy of the Achilles tendon, a variety of modern strategies are available. Rarer diseases, such as tumors or nerve entrapment syndromes must be delineated and correctly classified. This article provides the current state of the diagnostics and treatment of the most common entities of heel pathologies.

Injection with autologous conditioned serum has better clinical results than eccentric training for chronic Achilles tendinopathy

PURPOSE

Chronic Achilles tendinopathy is one of the most common causes of malfunction and pain, which can lead to a significant reduction of the quality of life. The hypothesis of this study argues that autologous conditioned serum (i.e. Orthokine) injections in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy have a better outcome than eccentric training.

METHODS

This study investigates, retrospectively, the effects of peritendinous autologous conditioned serum injections as compared to standard eccentric training in 50 patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy between 2012 and 2015. Before injection or eccentric training and 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 6 months thereafter, the patients were assessed by means of the VISA-A-G score (Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles questionnaire-German). An MRI was also performed before and 6 months after injection and eccentric training.

RESULTS

Both patient groups had statistically significant better VISA-A-G scores after injection or eccentric training compared to the baseline before injection (90 vs 40, respectively, P < 0.001) or eccentric training (81 vs 47, respectively, P < 0.001). Comparing the baseline corrected VISA-A-G scores, patients in the autologous-conditioned-serum-group had significantly higher changes in VISA-A-G scores than the eccentric-training-group after 12 weeks (40 vs 36, P = 0.018) and 6 months (50 vs 34, P = 0.034). Both patient groups had statistically significant (P < 0.001) reduction of tendon thickness (autologous conditioned serum: 0.32; eccentric training: 0.24) and length of bursa (autologous conditioned serum: 0.24; eccentric training: 0.21) as well as significant (P < 0.001) improvement of tendon quality in MRI (autologous conditioned serum: 14 vs 1; eccentric training: 14 vs 2). There were no statistical differences in MRI-findings between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Both therapies led to improvement of MRI-findings, including reduction of tendon thickness and tendon quality. Autologous-conditioned-serum-injections show greater clinical long-term benefit as compared to eccentric training and, therefore, offers a good alternative to eccentric training.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic studies, Level III.

Altered Strength Profile in Achilles Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Persistent strength deficits secondary to Achilles tendinopathy (AT) have been postulated to account for difficulty engaging in tendon-loading movements, such as running and jumping, and may contribute to the increased risk of recurrence. To date, little consensus exists on the presence of strength deficits in AT. Consequently, researchers are uncertain about the appropriate methods of assessment that may inform rehabilitation in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and synthesize the literature investigating plantar-flexion (PF) strength in individuals with AT.

STUDY SELECTION

Two independent reviewers searched 9 electronic databases using an agreed-upon set of key words.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were extracted from studies comparing strength measures (maximal, reactive, and explosive strength) between individuals with AT and healthy control participants or between the injured and uninjured sides of people with AT. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Case-Control Study Checklist was used to assess the risk of bias for the included studies.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A total of 19 studies were eligible. Pooled meta-analyses for isokinetic dynamometry demonstrated reductions in maximal strength (concentric PF peak torque [PT] slow [Hedges g = 0.52, 44% deficit], concentric PF PT fast [Hedges g = 0.61, 38% deficit], and eccentric PF PT slow [Hedges g = 0.26, 18% deficit]). Reactive strength, particularly during hopping, was also reduced (Hedges g range = 0.32-2.61, 16%-35% deficit). For explosive strength, reductions in the rate of force development (Hedges g range = 0.31-1.73, 10%-21% deficit) were observed, whereas the findings for ground reaction force varied but were not consistently altered.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with AT demonstrated strength deficits compared with the uninjured side or with asymptomatic control participants. Deficits were reported across the strength spectrum for maximal, reactive, and explosive strength. Clinicians and researchers may need to adapt their assessment of Achilles tendon function, which may ultimately help to optimize rehabilitation outcomes.

Muscular Pre-activation Can Boost the Maximal Explosive Eccentric Adaptive Force

The improvement of power is an objective in training of athletes. In order to detect effective methods of exercise, basic research is required regarding the mechanisms of muscular activity. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether or not a muscular pre-activation prior to an external impulse-like force impact has an effect on the maximal explosive eccentric Adaptive Force (xpAFecc_max). This power capability combines different probable power enhancing mechanisms. To measure the xpAFecc_max an innovative pneumatic device was used. During measuring, the subject tries to hold an isometric position as long as possible. In the moment in which the subjects' maximal isometric holding strength is exceeded, it merges into eccentric muscle action. This process is very close to motions in sports, where an adaptation of the neuromuscular system is required, e.g., force impacts caused by uneven surfaces during skiing. For investigating the effect of pre-activation on the xpAFecc_max of the quadriceps femoris muscle, n = 20 subjects had to pass three different pre-activation levels in a randomized order (level 1: 0.4 bar, level 2: 0.8 bar, level 3: 1.2 bar). After adjusting the standardized pre-pressure by pushing against the interface, an impulse-like load impacted on the distal tibia of the subject. During this, the xpAFecc_max was detected. The maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) was also measured. The torque values of the xpAFecc_max were compared with regard to the pre-activation levels. The results show a significant positive relation between the pre-activation of the quadriceps femoris muscle and the xpAFecc_max (male: p = 0.000, η²= 0.683; female: p = 0.000, η²= 0.907). The average percentage increase of torque amounted +28.15 ± 25.4% between MVIC and xpAFecc_max with pre-pressure level 1, +12.09 ± 7.9% for the xpAFecc_max comparing pre-pressure levels 1 vs. 2 and +2.98 ± 4.2% comparing levels 2 and 3. A higher but not maximal muscular activation prior to a fast impacting eccentric load seems to produce an immediate increase of force outcome. Different possible physiological explanatory approaches and the use as a potential training method are discussed.