Sonography of chronic Achilles tendinopathy

NewsBot · Dec 4, 2007

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
Sonography of chronic Achilles tendinopathy: A case-control study
Journal of Clinical Ultrasound
Volume 36, Issue 1 , Pages 27 - 32

Purpose
To describe the sonographic appearance of Achilles tendon in normal subjects and patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy with the aim of establishing diagnostic sonographic criteria for Achilles tendinopathy.
Methods
A prospective, cross-sectional, case-control sonographic study of the Achilles tendon was undertaken. Thirty tendons in 21 patients and 100 tendons in 50 control subjects were selected. Sonographic assessment included tendon thickness, echogenicity, fibrillar pattern, and presence of calcifications. Power Doppler imaging was used to assess tendon vascularity. Paratendinous structures and plantar fascia were also examined.
Results
Tendinopathic tendons were larger than normal tendons in both cross-sectional area and antero-posterior diameter. Hypoechoic areas within the tendon were more commonly seen in patients. Disruption of fibrillar pattern, increase in tendon vascularity, increased Kager's fat pad echogenicity, and paratenon thickening were solely seen in patients. Fluid in the retrocalcaneal bursa and calcaneal bony abnormalities were seen in both groups without a significant difference.
Conclusion
Achilles tendinopathy results in enlargement, particularly of the mid- and distal portions of the tendon, disruption of fibrillar pattern, and increase in tendon vascularity. Additional signs are increased Kager's fat pad echogenicity and paratenon
Click to expand...

Admin2 · Dec 4, 2007

Related thread:
Ultrasound guided dextrose injection for achilles tendonitis

Ultrasound related threads:
Diagnostic ultrasound purchase
UK Podiatry & Diagnostic Ultrasound
Increased Access for Podiatrists to Diagnostic Imaging
Injection vs ultrasound for neuroma diagnosis
Diagnostic Ultrasound regulations and accreditation
Ultrasound of the plantar plate
Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of club foot and counselling
Plantar Plate Sonography and Histology

Achilles tendon related threads
Achilles tendon strap
Anderson "prescription" for achilles tendinopathy
Genetic component to achilles tendon pathology
Increase in muscle strength with foot orthotic use
Aprotinin for Achilles tendinopathy?
Ibuprofin injection in Achilles tendinopathy
Eccentric loading vs shockwave for achilles tendonitis
Achilles Tendonopathy orthotic
Prediction of the success for treatment of insertional achilles tendinosis
Night splints of no value in achilles tendinopathy
Platelet-Rich Plasma for Achilles tendon pain

NewsBot · Dec 14, 2007

Prophylactic Training in Asymptomatic Soccer Players With Ultrasonographic Abnormalities in Achilles and Patellar Tendons: The Danish Super League Study
Ulrich Fredberg, Lars Bolvig, Niels T. Andersen
American Journal of Sports Medicine 2007

Background: A recent study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine showed that asymptomatic soccer players with an increased risk of developing Achilles and patellar tendon injuries within the next 12 months can be identified with use of ultrasonography.

Hypothesis: Prophylactic eccentric training and stretching can reduce both the frequency of asymptomatic ultrasonographic changes in Achilles and patellar tendons in soccer players and the risk of these asymptomatic intratendinous changes becoming symptomatic.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods: Two hundred and nine Danish professional soccer players from the best national league (Super League) were followed over 12 months with use of ultrasonography and injury registration. Half the teams were randomized to an intervention group with prophylactic eccentric training and stretching of the Achilles and patellar tendons during the soccer season.

Results: The eccentric training and stretching did not reduce the injury risk, and, contrary to all expectations, the injury risk during the season was increased in players with abnormal patellar tendons at the beginning of the study in January. Eccentric training and stretching in players with normal patellar tendons significantly reduced the proportion of players with ultrasonographic changes in the patellar tendons at the end of the season (risk difference [RD] = 12%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2%-22%; P = .02), but the training had no effect on the Achilles tendons (RD = 1%; 95% CI, –7% to 9%; P = .75). The presence of preseason ultrasonographic abnormalities in the tendons significantly increased the risk of developing tendon symptoms during the season (relative risk = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-3.1; P = .009).

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that with the use of ultrasonography, tendon changes in soccer players can be diagnosed before they become symptomatic. The prophylactic eccentric training and stretching program reduces the risk of developing ultrasonographic abnormalities in the patellar tendons but has no positive effects on the risk of injury. On the contrary, in asymptomatic players with ultrasonographically abnormal patellar tendons, prophylactic eccentric training and stretching increased the injury risk.
Click to expand...

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Admin2 Administrator Staff Member

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Ultrasonography in the evaluation of foot orthotics therapy

Ultrasonography in the evaluation of foot orthotics

Point-of-care ultrasonography

Ultrasonography for estimation of the microcirculation

Prognostic Value of Diagnostic Sonography in Patients With Plantar Fasciitis

Ultrasonography as a prognostic indicator in Achilles tendinopathy

A Biopsychosocial Model of Ultrasonography Assessment of Ankle/Foot Pain

Share This Page