The use of ultrasound in the assessment and treatment of Achilles tendinosis

Ultrasound imaging in professional soccer: when is it adequate?

Ultrasound imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of injuries in professional soccer players. With the rapid increase in the availability of hand-held portable ultrasound devices and the pressure to make timely and accurate diagnosis in professional soccer where return to play time is crucial, ultrasound imaging is an essential diagnostic tool. In this article, we discuss examples of injuries that can be adequately assessed by ultrasound imaging alone and injuries where ultrasound imaging provides a useful first step to guide further investigation and management.

Effect of Vitamin C on Tendinopathy Recovery: A Scoping Review

Tendinopathies represent 30-50% of all sports injuries. The tendon response is influenced by the load (volume, intensity, and frequency) that the tendon support, resulting in irritability and pain, among others. The main molecular component of tendons is collagen I (60-85%). The rest consist of glycosaminoglycans-proteoglycans, glycoproteins, and other collagen subtypes. This study's aim was to critically evaluate the efficacy of vitamin C supplementation in the treatment of tendinopathies. At the same time, the study aims to determine the optimal conditions (dose and time) for vitamin C supplementation. A structured search was carried out in the SCOPUS, Medline (PubMed), and Web of Science (WOS) databases. The inclusion criteria took into account studies describing optimal tendon recovery when using vitamin C alone or in combination with other compounds. The study design was considered, including randomized, double-blind controlled, and parallel designs in animal models or humans. The main outcome is that vitamin C supplementation is potentially useful as a therapeutic approach for tendinopathy recovery. Vitamin C supplementation, alone or in combination with other products, increases collagen synthesis with a consequent improvement in the patient's condition. On the other hand, vitamin C deficiency is mainly associated with a decrease in procollagen synthesis and reduced hydroxylation of proline and lysine residues, hindering the tendon repair process.

Interventional therapeutic procedures to treat degenerative and inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions: state of the art

Imaging-guided interventional procedures have become increasingly popular in the treatment of several pathologic conditions in the musculoskeletal system. Besides oncological treatments, musculoskeletal procedures can be performed to treat different degenerative or inflammatory conditions. This paper is aimed to review clinical indications and technical aspects of these kinds of procedures. In particular, we revise the general aspects common to most procedures and the different imaging-guided interventions which can be performed around joints, soft tissues, and spine.

Prediction of running-induced Achilles tendinopathy with pain sensitivity - a 1-year prospective study

Background and aims Achilles tendinopathy is common among runners, but the etiology remains unclear. High mechanical pain sensitivity may be a predictor of increased risk of developing Achilles tendinopathy in this group. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether local pain sensitivity could predict the development of Achilles tendinopathy in recreational male runners. The overall hypothesis was that high pain sensitivity would be related to a higher risk of developing Achilles tendinopathy among recreational male runners. Methods Ninety-nine recreational male runners were recruited and followed prospectively for 1 year. At baseline and after 500 km of running the pressure pain threshold (PPT) was assessed at the infraspinatus and at the Achilles tendon (AT-PPT). Based on the AT-PPT at baseline, a median split was used to divide the runners into two groups. The high pain sensitivity groups was defined as runners displaying a pain pressure threshold below 441 kPa on the Achilles tendon, while the low pain sensitivity group was defined as runners displaying a pain pressure threshold above 441 kPa on the Achilles tendon, respectively. Subsequently, the cumulative risk difference between the two groups was assessed by using the pseudo-observation method. Results High pain sensitivity runners sustained 5%-point (95% CI: -0.18 to 0.08) more Achilles tendinopathy episodes during the first 1,500 km. No significant group differences in risk were found at 100, 250, 500, 1,000 and 1,500 km of running. Conclusions No significant association was found between mechanical pain sensitivity in the Achilles tendon and the risk of developing Achilles tendinopathy. However, the risk difference indicated a association between a high mechanical pain sensitivity and an increased risk of developing Achilles tendinopathy. It is plausible that changes in pain sensitivity were masked by unmeasured covariates, such as the differences in progression/regression of training volume and running speed between the two groups. This study was limited in size, which limited the possibility to account for covariates, such as differences in progression/regression of running speed between runners. With the limitations in mind, future studies should control the training volume, speed and running shoes in the design or account for it in the analysis. Implications Pain sensitivity of the Achilles tendon seems not to be related to an increased risk of developing Achilles pain in relation to running.

How to diagnose plantaris tendon involvement in midportion Achilles tendinopathy - clinical and imaging findings

Background

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate if clinical assessment, Ultrasound + Colour Doppler (US + CD) and Ultrasound Tissue Characterisation (UTC) can be useful in detecting plantaris tendon involvement in patients with midportion Achilles tendinopathy.

Methods

Twenty-three tendons in 18 patients (14 men, mean age: 37 years and 4 women: 44 years) (5 patients with bilateral tendons) with midportion Achilles tendinopathy were surgically treated with a scraping procedure and plantaris tendon removal. For all tendons, clinical assessment, Ultrasound + Colour Doppler (US + CD) examination and Ultrasound Tissue Characterisation (UTC) were performed.

Results

At surgery, all 23 cases had a plantaris tendon located close to the medial side of the Achilles tendon. There was vascularised fat tissue in the interface between the Achilles and plantaris tendons. Clinical assessment revealed localised medial activity-related pain in 20/23 tendons and focal medial tendon tenderness in 20/23 tendons. For US + CD, 20/23 tendons had a tendon-like structure interpreted to be the plantaris tendon and localised high blood flow in close relation to the medial side of the Achilles. For UTC, 19/23 tendons had disorganised (type 3 and 4) echopixels located only in the medial part of the Achilles tendon indicating possible plantaris tendon involvement.

Conclusions

US + CD directly, and clinical assessment indirectly, can detect a close by located plantaris tendon in a high proportion of patients with midportion Achilles tendinopathy. UTC could complement US + CD and clinical assessment by demonstrating disorganised focal medial Achilles tendon structure indicative of possible plantaris involvement.

Achilles tendinopathy-do plantaris tendon removal and Achilles tendon scraping improve tendon structure? A prospective study using ultrasound tissue characterisation

Objectives

The plantaris tendon has recently been described as a possible important factor in midportion Achilles tendinopathy. Ultrasound tissue characterisation (UTC) is a method to study tendon structure (matrix integrity). The effect of plantaris tendon removal on Achilles tendon structure was studied using UTC.

Design and setting

Prospective case series study at one centre.

Participants

Nine tendons in eight physically active and healthy patients (mean age 39 years) with chronic painful midportion Achilles tendinopathy were included. Preoperative two-dimensional ultrasound and UTC showed midportion Achilles tendinopathy (tendinosis) with medial tendon changes and suspected plantaris tendon involvement. Patients with previous operations to the Achilles tendon were excluded.

Interventions

Operative treatment consisted of excision of the plantaris tendon and scraping of the ventromedial surface of the Achilles tendon under a local anaesthetic.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

UTC examination and clinical scoring with the VISA-A questionnaire were performed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively.

Results

At 6 months follow-up, UTC demonstrated a statistically significant (t=5.40, p<0.001) increase in the mean organised matrix (echo-type I+II) and a decrease in the mean disorganised matrix (echo-type III+IV). Seven out of eight patients were satisfied, and the VISA-A score had increased significantly (p<0.001) from 56.8 (range 34–73) preoperatively to 93.3 (range 87–100) postoperatively.

Conclusions

Excision of the plantaris tendon and scraping of the ventromedial Achilles tendon in chronic midportion tendinopathy seem to have the potential to improve tendon structure and reduce tendon pain. Studies on a larger group of patients and with a longer follow-up period are needed.

Ultrasound (US) measurement of the distance between the Achilles tendon and the posterior tibial neurovascular bundle in equinus infantile deformity

OBJECTIVE

To study the distance between the Achilles tendon and the posterior tibial neurovascular bundle via ultrasound (US) - Doppler, with the goal of preventing neurovascular bundle injuries.

METHODS

We studied 36 feet with equinus deformity (18 cases on the right and left side) in children with a mean age of 20.9 months. The distance between the Achilles tendon and the posterior tibial artery was intraoperatively measured using linear US at 10 MHz with Doppler. The measurement was made 1 cm proximal to the calcaneus insertion of the Achilles, where we planned to perform the tenotomy. The patient's weight and height were also recorded. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, t test, and Pearson correlation analyses were applied. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Mean distance between Achilles tendon and posterior neurovascular tibial bundle was 7.3 mm, and no differences between sexes or sides were observed. The distance was significantly correlated with weight (r = 0.54, p = 0.01) but not height or age.

CONCLUSIONS

The distance between the Achilles tendon and the tibialis posterior neurovascular bundle is small, and there is a risk of surgical injury during tenotomy of the Achilles tendon.

CHELT therapy in the treatment of chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy

The application of laser therapy on soft tissue is used for pain relief, anti-inflammation action and biostimulation. The efficiency of High Energy Laser Therapy has not yet been studied on Achilles tendinopathy. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a flow of Cold air and High Energy Laser Therapy (CHELT) versus Extracorporeal Shock Waves Therapy (ESWT) in the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. In this prospective, clinical trial, 60 subjects affected by insertional Achilles tendinopathy were enrolled and randomized to CHELT (30 subjects) or to ESWT (30 subjects). In CHELT group the patients received ten daily sessions of 1,200 J and 12 W of laser therapy (wavelength of 1,084, 810 and 980 nm) added to a flow of cold air at -30 °C. In the ESWT group, the patients received three sessions at 3- to 4-day intervals of 1,600 impulses with an energy flux density (EFD) of 0.05-0.07 mJ/mm(2). Both groups of participants performed stretching and eccentric exercises over a 2-month period. The visual analogue scale (VAS), the Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, and the Roles and Maudsley Score were measured before treatment (T0), and at end of the treatment session (T1) and 2 (T2) and 6 months (T3) after treatment during the follow-up examinations. In both groups, we found a statistically significant improvement of the VAS at T1, T2 and T3 (p < 0.01). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant in favour of the CHELT group (p < 0.001). At 2 months, the CHELT group was statistically better for Ankle-Hindfoot Scale and the Roles and Maudsley Score (p < 0.05) and at 6 months only for the Roles and Maudsley Score (p < 0.001). High Energy Laser Therapy gave quicker and better pain relief. It also gave the patient a full functional recovery and greater satisfaction.

SWAAT study: extracorporeal shock wave therapy and arginine supplementation and other nutraceuticals for insertional Achilles tendinopathy

INTRODUCTION

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) produces good results in the treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy. The efficacy of combined administration of dietary supplements with ESWT has not yet been studied.

METHODS

In this prospective, randomized clinical trial, Shock Waves therapy and Arginine for Achilles Tendinopathy (SWAAT), subjects affected by insertional Achilles tendinopathy were enrolled. Between January and October 2011, all participants underwent three sessions of ESWT. In addition, the patients in the experimental group received a daily dietary supplement containing arginine, Vinitrox (Bio Serae Laboratories SAS, Bram, France), collagen, methyl-sulfonyl-methane, vitamin C, and bromelain, while the control group patients received placebo.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in the visual analog scale (VAS) score between the two groups at 2 months (3.9 vs. 5.1; P=0.07), whereas at 6 months the value was significantly lower in the experimental group (2.0 vs. 2.9; P=0.04). The difference in the Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score at 2 and 6 months of follow-up (FU) was significantly in favor of the experimental group (2 months: 85.4 vs. 72.1; P=0.0035; 6 months: 92.4 vs. 76.5; P=0.0002). The Roles and Maudsley score also showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups in favor of the experimental arm as regards patient satisfaction (at 2 months: 1.7 vs. 2.8; P<0.0001; at 6 months: 1.5 vs. 2.3; P<0.001). There was a statistically significant reduction in tissue oximetry values compared to baseline in both treatment groups at 2 and 6 months of FU. Comparing the groups, only at the last FU, at 6 months, was a significantly lower oximetry value observed in the experimental group versus controls (60.2 vs. 66.0; P=0.007).

CONCLUSION

On the basis of the results obtained in this study, the authors conclude that in the treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy, ESWT induces a hemodynamic re-equilibrium with an amelioration in tendon trophism [corrected]. The addition of specific dietary supplements could improve the therapeutic response.