Epidemiology of Patellar Tendinopathy in Athletes and the General Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

A New Quantitative Tool for the Ultrasonographic Assessment of Tendons: A Reliability and Validity Study on the Patellar Tendon

Ultrasound is widely used for tendon assessment due to its safety, affordability, and portability, but its subjective nature poses challenges. This study aimed to develop a new quantitative analysis tool based on artificial intelligence to identify statistical patterns of healthy and pathological tendons. Furthermore, we aimed to validate this new tool by comparing it to experts' subjective assessments. A pilot database including healthy controls and patients with patellar tendinopathy was constructed, involving 14 participants with asymptomatic (n = 7) and symptomatic (n = 7) patellar tendons. Ultrasonographic images were assessed twice, utilizing both the new quantitative tool and the subjective scoring method applied by an expert across five regions of interest. The database contained 61 variables per image. The robustness of the clinical and quantitative assessments was tested via reliability analyses. Lastly, the prediction accuracy of the quantitative features was tested via cross-validated generalized linear mixed-effects logistic regressions. These analyses showed high reliability for quantitative variables related to "Bone" and "Quality", with ICCs above 0.75. The ICCs for "Edges" and "Thickness" varied but mostly exceeded 0.75. The results of this study show that certain quantitative variables are capable of predicting an expert's subjective assessment with generally high cross-validated AUC scores. A new quantitative tool for the ultrasonographic assessment of the tendon was designed. This system is shown to be a reliable and valid method for evaluating the patellar tendon structure.

The effect of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy on pain in patients with various tendinopathies: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials

OBJECTIVES

Tendinopathy is a common condition that affects the body's tendon structures, causing discomfort, restricted movement, and reduced functionality. In this study, we looked at how extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) affected pain levels in individuals with various forms of tendinopathy around the world.

DESIGN

This study is a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of previously published randomized controlled trials. To gather relevant data, the researchers performed keyword searches in international databases, including PubMed (Medline), Scopus, Web of Sciences, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Research Registers of ongoing trials (ClinicalTrials.gov), as well as Embase. The search was conducted up until March 2023. The quality of the selected articles was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias method for randomized trials (RoB2).

RESULTS

Based on the results of the meta-analysis, which included 45 clinical studies, the use of ESWT was found to have a significant impact on reducing pain in various conditions. The standardized mean difference (SMD) in patients with plantar fasciitis (PF) was reduced by 1.63 (SMD: -1.63, 95% CI: -3.04, -0.21; I2: 77.36%; P heterogeneity: 0.0001). For lateral epicondylitis (LE), the SMD was 0.63 (SMD: -0.63, 95% CI: -1.11, -0.16; I2: 67.50%; P heterogeneity: 0.003). In the case of chronic Achilles tendinopathy, the SMD was 1.38 (SMD: -1.38, 95% CI: -1.66, -1.10; I2: 96.44%; P heterogeneity: 0.0001). Additionally, in individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy, the SMD for pain reduction was 2.37 units (SMD: -2.37, 95% CI: -3.58, -1.15; I2: 98.46%; P heterogeneity: 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that ESWT can be a highly effective therapy option for relieving pain in people with tendinopathy. Nonetheless, it is encouraged to make additional recommendations based on high-quality clinical research and more accurate information in order to define the optimal therapeutic options for each type of tendinopathy.

Partial Patellar Tendon Tears in Athletes: A Systematic Review of Treatment Options, Outcomes, and Return to Sport

Introduction

Partial patellar tendon tears (PPTTs) are overuse injuries in sports with frequent jumping, such as basketball and volleyball. There are several treatment options, including both operative and non-operative modalities. Current literature is largely focused broadly on patellar tendinopathy; however, there are few studies which specifically evaluate treatment outcomes for PPTTs.

Objective

To systematically review the literature on treatment options, clinical outcomes, and return to sport (RTS) in athletes with a PPTT.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were searched through May 1st, 2023 for studies reporting treatment outcomes in athletes with partial patellar tendon tears. Data was extracted on the following topics: treatment modalities, surgical failures/reoperations, surgical complications, RTS, and postoperative time to RTS.

Results

The review covers 11 studies with 454 athletes: 343 males (86.2%) and 55 females (13.8%). The average age was 25.8 years, ranging from 15 to 55 years. 169 patients (37.2%) received only non-operative treatments, while 295 (65.0%) underwent surgery. 267 patients (92.1%) returned to sports after 3.9 months of treatment. The average follow-up was 55.8 months.

Conclusion

Our review of current literature on PPTTs in athletes illustrates over 90% return to sport following either conservative or surgical treatment. There is currently little data that directly compares the treatment options to establish an evidence-based "gold-standard" treatment plan. The data we present suggests that current treatment options are satisfactory but would benefit from future study.

Peak patellar tendon force progressions during heavy load single-leg squats on level ground and decline board

BACKGROUND

Progressive tendon loading programs for patellar tendinopathy typically include single-leg squats with heavy weights either on level ground or on a decline board. Changes in patellar tendon force due to variations of the heavy load single-leg squat have not yet been objectively quantified. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of the mass of an external weight and the use of a decline board on the peak patellar tendon force during a heavy load single-leg squat.

METHODS

Twelve healthy participants performed single-leg back squats on a decline board and level ground at 70%, 80% and 90% of their one repetition maximum. Three-dimensional kinematics and ground reaction forces were measured and the peak patellar tendon force was calculated using musculoskeletal modelling. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA determined the main effects for the mass of the external weights and the use of a decline board as well as their interaction effect.

FINDINGS

Peak patellar tendon forces were significantly higher on the decline board compared to level ground (p < 0.05). Neither on the decline board, nor on level ground did the peak patellar tendon force increase significantly when increasing the external weights (p > 0.05).

INTERPRETATION

Progression in peak patellar tendon forces during a heavy load single-leg squat can only be obtained with a decline board. Increasing the mass of the external weight from 70% to 90% of the one repetition maximum does not result in a progressively higher peak patellar tendon force.

The Best Current Research on Patellar Tendinopathy: A Review of Published Meta-Analyses

Patellar tendinopathy is a frequent overuse injury in sports that can cause significant pain and disability. It requires evidence-based guidelines on effective prevention and management. However, optimal treatments remain uncertain. We aimed to analyze available meta-analyses to summarize treatment recommendations, compare therapeutic modalities, examine included trials, and offer methodological suggestions to improve future systematic reviews. Meta-analyses were systematically searched for in PubMed (PROSPERO: CRD42023457963). A total of 21 meta-analyses were included. The AMSTAR-2 scale assessed study quality, which was low, with only 23.8% of the meta-analyses being of moderate quality, and none were considered to be of high quality. Heterogeneous outcomes are reported. Multiple platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections appear superior to eccentric exercises and provide lasting improvements compared to eccentric exercises when conservative treatments fail. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) also seems superior to non-operative options and similar to surgery for patellar tendinopathy in the long term. However, evidence for eccentric exercise efficacy remains unclear due to inconclusive findings. Preliminary findings also emerged for genetic risk factors and diagnostic methods but require further confirmation. This review reveals a lack of high-quality evidence on optimal patellar tendinopathy treatments. While PRP and ESWT show promise, limitations persist. Further rigorous meta-analyses and trials are needed to strengthen the evidence base and guide clinical practice. Methodological enhancements are proposed to improve future meta-analyses.

Eccentric Exercises on the Board with 17-Degree Decline Are Equally Effective as Eccentric Exercises on the Standard 25-Degree Decline Board in the Treatment of Patellar Tendinopathy

Background and Objectives: Patellar tendinopathy is one of the most significant problems in jumping and running athletes. Eccentric quadriceps exercise has been introduced into the therapy of patients with patellar tendinopathy in order to avoid weakening the tendon during rehabilitation. The use of decline boards with a decline angle of 25° has been the cornerstone of therapy over the last two decades. Biomechanical studies have suggested that an equal or potentially better outcome could be achieved with lower angles of decline (up to 16°). Materials and Methods: In this present research, we compared the effects of two various decline board angles on the clinical outcome of patients treated for patellar tendinopathy by performing eccentric quadriceps exercises. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: patients practicing on the standard board with a 25° decline, and patients practicing on the 17° decline (n = 35 per group). Results: After 6 weeks of exercise, we found a significant improvement in all the clinical scores (VISA-P score, KOOS score, Lysholm Knee Questionnaire/Tegner Activity Scale, and VAS scale) of treated patients. However, there was no significant difference between the patients who performed eccentric quadriceps exercises on the standard 25° decline board and those exercising on the 17° decline board. A smaller additional degree of improvement was visible at the end of the follow-up period (at 12 weeks), but, again, no statistical difference could be detected between the investigated groups. We conclude that both treatment options provide similar short-term and midterm benefits regarding improvements in pain and clinical scores. The improvement in clinical scores does not depend on age, sex, BMI, or the professional sport of the patient. Conclusions: Our findings encourage changes in the decline angle of the board in the case of a patient's discomfort in order to achieve better compliance without affecting the recovery.