Cushman DM, Carefoot A, Corcoran B, Vu L, Fredericson M, Fausett C, Teramoto M, Eby SF. Prevalence of Sonographic Achilles Tendon, Patellar Tendon, and Plantar Fascia Abnormalities in Division I Collegiate Athletes From a Variety of Sports.
Clin J Sport Med 2024;
34:297-303. [PMID:
37540559 PMCID:
PMC10838354 DOI:
10.1097/jsm.0000000000001183]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ultrasound abnormalities in the Achilles tendon, patellar tendon, and plantar fascia among a large cohort of collegiate student-athletes.
DESIGN
Observational cross-sectional study.
SETTING
Three Division I institutions.
PARTICIPANTS
243 student-athletes participated in this study. Exclusion criteria included those younger than 18 years or who underwent prior surgery/amputation of structures, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgeries with patellar tendon grafts.
INTERVENTIONS
Ultrasound examination of the Achilles tendon, patellar tendon, and plantar fascia of each leg was performed. An experienced sonographer reviewed each tendon video in a blinded manner, with a separate experienced sonographer separately reviewing to establish inter-rater reliability.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The primary outcome measured was the presence of any sonographic abnormality including hypoechogenicity, thickening, or neovascularity.
RESULTS
Ultrasound abnormalities were identified in 10.1%, 37.2%, and 3.9% of all Achilles tendons, patellar tendons, and plantar fasciae, respectively. Abnormalities were significantly associated with the presence of concurrent pain for all structures ( P < 0.01). Specifically, athletes with sonographic abnormalities were approximately 4 times [relative risk (RR) = 4.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.05-8.84], 6 times (RR = 5.69; 95% CI, 2.31-14.00), and 5 times (RR = 5.17; 95% CI, 1.76-15.25) more likely to self-report pain in the Achilles tendon, patellar tendon, and plantar fascia, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
This multi-institutional study completed at 3 Division I institutions is the largest study of its kind to identify the prevalence of sonographic abnormalities in the Achilles tendon, patellar tendon, and plantar fascia among collegiate student-athletes of various sports.
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