Victorian Institute Of Sports Assessment-Achilles Score Research Articles

Topical glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and eccentric exercises in the treatment of mid-portion achilles tendinopathy (the NEAT trial): a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

To investigate if daily treatment with glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) ointment, over 24 weeks combined with a 12-week eccentric exercise programme is more effective for chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy than placebo ointment and eccentric exercise. This was a single-site randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial at an acute hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Patients with chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy were randomised to either 24 weeks of daily GTN ointment or placebo ointment. Both groups received an identical 12-week eccentric exercise programme. The primary outcome measure was the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire at 24 weeks, which measures pain, function and activity. Secondary outcomes included pain severity, self-reported physical function, calf muscle function, pressure pain thresholds and ultrasound changes. Statistical analyses were performed according to intention-to-treat principles. 76 patients (30 women; 46 men, mean age±SD, 45.6±8.2 years) were recruited for the trial. Significant improvements in VISA-A scores occurred in both groups at 6-week, 12-week and 24-week follow-up. The increase was not significantly different between groups, adjusted mean between-group difference from baseline to week 6, -1.33 (95% CI -6.96 to 4.31); week 12, -1.25 (95% CI -8.0 to 5.49) and week 24, -3.8 (95% CI -10.6 to 3.0); negative values favour GTN. There was no significant between-group difference in any of the secondary outcome measures at 6, 12 and 24 weeks. Adding daily GTN ointment over 24 weeks to a 12-week eccentric exercise programme did not improve pain, function and activity level in patients with chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy when compared with placebo ointment.

Efficacy of shock wave therapy and ultrasound therapy in non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy: a randomised clinical trial

ObjectivePhysiotherapists and physicians continue to seek effective conservative treatments for Achilles tendinopathy. This study aimed to subjectively and objectively determine the therapeutic efficacy of radial shock wave therapy (RSWT) and ultrasound therapy in non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy.Materials and methodsThirty-nine patients with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy were randomly assigned to three experimental groups, i.e., RSWT (group A), ultrasound therapy (group B), and placebo ultrasound (group C) groups. Before the intervention and at weeks 1 and 6 after the treatment, the patients were assessed using the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire and posturographic measurements of step initiation performed on the force platforms under two different conditions (non-perturbed transit and perturbed transit).ResultsSix weeks after therapy, all groups exhibited significantly increased VISA-A scores against the measurement at week 1 after therapy. The post-therapy percentage changes in VISA-A scores were significantly greater in group A compared to group B. The three-way ANOVA demonstrated that treatment type affected sway range in the frontal plane and mean velocity of the centre of foot pressure displacements in the sagittal and frontal planes during quiet standing before step initiation. The Bonferroni post-hoc test showed that the means of all those variables were significantly smaller for group A than for group B patients. The three-way ANOVA revealed an effect of the platform arrangement on transit time and double-support period. The Bonferroni post-hoc test revealed statistically longer transit time for the perturbed vs. non-perturbed trials; a reverse relationship was observed for the double-support period.ConclusionThe VISA-A showed that RSWT was significantly more effective than sonotherapy for alleviation of pain intensity as well as function and activity improvement in patients with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Therefore, RSWT therapy can be used in clinical practice by physiotherapists to alleviate the symptoms of non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Objective data registered by force platforms during quiet standing before and after step initiation did not prove useful for monitoring the progress of treatment applied to patients with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy between consecutive therapy interventions.Clinical trial registration:https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12617000860369, identifier (ACTRN12617000860369).

Endoscopic calcaneal SpeedBridge technique: Decreased postoperative complication rate in insertional achilles tendinopathy

BackgroundAn endoscopic calcaneal SpeedBridge technique was described recently. The primary objective of this study was to report the postoperative complications seen with calcaneal SpeedBridge repair. The secondary objective was to report short- and medium-term functional outcomes. HypothesisPostoperative complications are less common with endoscopic vs. open SpeedBridge suturing. Material and methodsThe endoscopic SpeedBridge technique was used in 9 patients who had insertional Achilles tendinopathy refractory to conservative management. The patients were evaluated at least 24 months after the procedure. Infectious and wound-healing complications were recorded. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain and patient satisfaction, shoeing difficulties, the European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS) score, and the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) score were assessed. ResultsDuring the mean follow-up of 25.3 months, no complications were recorded. The EFAS and VISA-A scores were 37/40 and 91/100, respectively. The mean VAS scores for pain and satisfaction were 1.7/10 and 9.3/10, respectively. No patients reported shoeing difficulties. ConclusionEndoscopic calcaneal SpeedBridge suturing is associated with a lower complication rate compared to the open variant. Clinical outcomes are highly satisfactory in the short and middle terms. Level of evidenceIV; retrospective observational cohort study.

Comparison of Lateral and Central Achilles Tendon-Splitting Approaches in the Treatment of Haglund Deformity.

This study aimed to compare the complications and outcomes of lateral and central Achilles tendon-splitting approaches for the treatment of Haglund syndrome. Patients who underwent surgery for Haglund syndrome between June 2012 and June 2022 were included in the study. Patients undergoing lateral approach surgery were included in group 1, whereas patients undergoing central Achilles tendon-splitting approach surgery were included in group 2. Surgical outcomes of the patients were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle hindfoot scale, visual analog pain scale (VAS), and Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISAA) scores. In addition, preoperative and final follow-up scores were compared. The study included 66 patients: 32 (14 females, 18 males) underwent surgery using the lateral approach in group 1, whereas in group 2, 34 patients (18 females, 16 males) underwent surgery using the central Achilles tendon-splitting approach. There was a significant statistical difference in the AOFAS, VISAA, and VAS scores between preoperative and final follow-up for both group 1 and group 2 (P < .001, P < .001, P < .001, P < .001, respectively). Group 1 had a small (0.76) relative increase in VAS score compared with group 2 (P = .033). There was no significant difference between the complication rates of group 1 and group 2. In our study, we found the lateral approach and central Achilles tendon-splitting approaches to be safe and effective in the surgical treatment of Haglund syndrome without clinically meaningful differences in outcomes or complication rates. Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Low socioeconomic status is associated with worse treatment outcomes in patients with Achilles tendinopathy

ObjectiveTo assess whether there is a difference in symptom severity at baseline and 24 weeks follow-up between conservatively managed patients with Achilles tendinopathy (AT) with low socioeconomic status (SES) compared...

A pilot study exploring the use of hyaluronic acid in treating insertional achilles tendinopathy.

This study explores the use of ultrasound-guided Hyaluronic Acid (HA) injections for Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy (IAT). A cohort of 15 ankles diagnosed with IAT received three weekly ultrasound-guided HA injections. The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment - Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire scored the severity of symptoms and functional impairment before treatment, and at one and six months post-treatment. Significant improvement was observed in VISA-A scores post-treatment, rising from an average baseline of 34.8 ± 15.2 (11-63) to 53.6 ± 20.9 (15-77) after one month, and then to 50.7 ± 18.6 (20-75) after six months. No adverse reactions were noted, underscoring the safety of the intervention. The pilot study presents HA injections as a potentially effective treatment for IAT, while interpretation of these findings must take into account the variability in results, indicating a range of patient responses. It encourages further research to confirm these findings and to explore HA's full potential in managing IAT, despite the limitations of a small sample size and lack of control group.

Paper 68: Outcomes following Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for chronic Achilles tendinopathy at short to mid-term follow-up

Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective clinical study was to evaluate outcomes following extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. Subgroup analysis was conducted to identify predictors of poor outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included existing clinical data from 74 patients from a single academic institution. Patients greater than 16 years of old who underwent ESWT for Achilles tendinopathy in the office setting between 3/3/2017 to 8/2/2022 were included. Data collected included: patient demographics, co-morbidities, treatment characteristics, Victorian institute of sports assessment – Achilles (VISA-A) scoring tool, visual analog scale (VAS), magnetic resonance imaging data, return to play (RTP) data and failures were recorded. Failure was defined as no improvement in VISA-A nor VAS scores or surgical intervention. For these data, mean and standard deviation were calculated, and paired samples T-tests and Welch’s T-tests were performed on clinical outcome scores. Results: In total, 74 patients (91 heels) with a mean age of 54.1 ± 14.0 years and BMI of 27.3 ± 4.5 kg/m2 underwent ESWT for Achilles tendinopathy at a mean follow-up of 25.7 ± 15.0 months. Eighteen patients were in the non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy (NAT) cohort and 56 patients were in the insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) cohort. Both NAT and IAT cohorts had a similar improvement in VISA-A score (p=0.365) and VAS scores (p=0.65). A shorter return to play time was found in the NAT cohort (1.1 ± 0.9 months) compared to the IAT cohort (2.6 ± 5.7 months) but this was not statistically significant (p=0.34). There was a higher failure rate in the the IAT cohort (50.0%) than the NAT cohort (38.9%). Patients who received platelet-rich plasma (PRP) had a higher failure rate (61.2%) than those who did not receive PRP (39.6%). In the NAT cohort, the failure rate in females was 0.0%. In the IAT cohort, the failure rate in females was 61.9%. Linear regression analysis found that elevated BMI and MRI severity were associated with worse post-ESWT outcomes. Conclusions: This retrospective study demonstrated a high failure rate at short-term follow-up in patients who underwent ESWT for Achilles tendinopathy. Higher failure rates were found in patients with IAT and those who received intratendinous PRP. Predictors of poor outcomes included elevated BMI and MRI severity. Further studies with larger patient cohorts and a longer follow-up are necessary to determine the role of ESWT in the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy.

Comparison of efficacy of platelet-rich plasma and extracorporeal shock wave for the treatment of chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy

To compare clinical efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and extracorporeal shock wave in treating chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy. From February 2019 to August 2021, 42 patients with chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy were selected and divided into PRP group(20 patients, 28 feet) and shock wave group (22 patients, 29 feet). In PRP group, there were 12 males and 8 females, aged 47.00(28.00, 50.75) years old, and the courses of disease ranged 7.00(6.00, 7.00) months;PRP injection was performed in the Achilles tendon stop area of the affected side. In shock wave group, there were 16 males and 6 females, aged 42.00(35.75, 47.25) years old;and the courses of disease was 7.00(6.00, 8.00) months;shock wave was performed in Achilles tendon stop area of the affected side and triceps surae area. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) were applied to evaluate clnical effect before treatment, 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment, and satisfaction of patients was investigated. VAS and VISA-A score in both groups were significantly improved at 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment than before treatment (P<0.05), VAS and VISA-A score in PRP group at 6 months after treatment were significantly higher than those at 1 and 3 months after treatment, and VAS and VISA-A score in shock wave group were lower than those at 1 and 3 months after treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS and VISA-A score between two groups before treatment, 1 and 3 months after treatment(P>0.05), while VAS and VISA-A score in PRP group were better than those in shock wave group at 6 months after treatment(P<0.05), and the satisfaction survey in PRP group was better than that in shock wave group(P<0.05). PRP injection has a good clinical effect on chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy with high patient satisfaction, and medium-and long-term effect of PRP injection for the treatment of chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy is better than that of extracorporeal divergent shock wave.

The VISA-A (sedentary) should be used for sedentary patients with Achilles tendinopathy: a modified version of the VISA-A developed and evaluated in accordance with the COSMIN checklist

ObjectiveTo develop and evaluate a modified version of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire, for use in sedentary patients with Achilles tendinopathy, using the Consensus-based Standards for the...

Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment—Achilles thresholds for minimal important change and return to presymptom activity level in active soldiers with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy

IntroductionMid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (mid-AT) is common in soldiers, significantly impacting activity levels and operational readiness. Currently, Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment—Achilles (VISA-A) represents the gold standard to evaluate pain and...

Comparison between primary repair and augmented repair with gastrocnemius turn-down flap for acute Achilles tendon rupture: a retrospective study with minimum 2-year follow-up

BackgroundTo explore and compare the clinical outcomes in patients undergoing primary repair versus augmented repair with a gastrocnemius turn-down flap for acute Achilles tendon rupture.MethodsFrom 2012 to 2018, the clinical data of 113 patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture who were treated with primary repair or augmented repair with a gastrocnemius turn-down flap by the same surgeon were retrospectively reviewed. The patients’ preoperative and postoperative scores on the visual analog scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle⁃Hindfoot (AOFAS) score, the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment⁃Achilles (VISA-A), the Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS), and the Tegner Activity Scale were examined and compared. The postoperative calf circumference was measured. A Biodex isokinetic dynamometer was used to evaluate the plantarflexion strength on both sides. The time to return to life and exercise as well as the strength deficits in both groups were recorded. Finally, the correlation analyses between patient characteristics and treatment details with clinical outcomes were conducted.ResultsIn total, 68 patients were included and completed the follow-up. The 42 and 26 patients who were treated with primary repair and augmented repair were assigned to group A and B, respectively. No serious postoperative complications were reported. No significant between-group differences in any outcomes were observed. It was found that female sex was correlated with poorer VISA-A score (P = 0.009), complete seal of paratenon was correlated with higher AOFAS score (P = 0.031), and short leg cast was correlated with higher ATRS score (P = 0.006).ConclusionsAugmented repair with a gastrocnemius turn-down flap provided no advantage over primary repair for the treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture. After surgical treatment, females tended to had poorer outcomes, while complete seal of paratenon and short leg cast contributed to better results.Level of evidenceCohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Evidence-Based High-Loading Tendon Exercise for 12 Weeks Leads to Increased Tendon Stiffness and Cross-Sectional Area in Achilles Tendinopathy: A Controlled Clinical Trial

BackgroundAssuming that the mechanisms inducing adaptation in healthy tendons yield similar responses in tendinopathic tendons, we hypothesized that a high-loading exercise protocol that increases tendon stiffness and cross-sectional area in male healthy Achilles tendons may also induce comparable beneficial adaptations in male tendinopathic Achilles tendons in addition to improving pain and function.ObjectivesWe investigated the effectiveness of high-loading exercise in Achilles tendinopathy in terms of inducing mechanical (tendon stiffness, maximum strain), material (Young’s modulus), morphological (tendon cross-sectional area (CSA)), maximum voluntary isometric plantar flexor strength (MVC) as well as clinical adaptations (Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment—Achilles (VISA-A) score and pain (numerical rating scale (NRS))) as the primary outcomes. As secondary outcomes, drop (DJ) and counter-movement jump (CMJ) height and intratendinous vascularity were assessed.MethodsWe conducted a controlled clinical trial with a 3-month intervention phase. Eligibility criteria were assessed by researchers and medical doctors. Inclusion criteria were male sex, aged between 20 and 55 years, chronic Achilles tendinopathy confirmed by a medical doctor via ultrasound-assisted assessment, and a severity level of less than 80 points on the VISA-A score. Thirty-nine patients were assigned by sequential allocation to one of three parallel arms: a high-loading intervention (training at ~ 90% of the MVC) (n = 15), eccentric exercise (according to the Alfredson protocol) as the standard therapy (n = 15) and passive therapy (n = 14). Parameters were assessed pre- and-post-intervention. Data analysis was blinded.ResultsPrimary outcomes: Plantar flexor MVC, tendon stiffness, mean CSA and maximum tendon strain improved only in the high-loading intervention group by 7.2 ± 9.9% (p = 0.045), 20.1 ± 20.5% (p = 0.049), 8.98 ± 5.8% (p < 0.001) and −12.4 ± 10.3% (p = 0.001), respectively. Stiffness decreased in the passive therapy group (−7.7 ± 21.2%; p = 0.042). There was no change in Young’s modulus in either group (p > 0.05). The VISA-A score increased in all groups on average by 19.8 ± 15.3 points (p < 0.001), while pain (NRS) dropped by −0.55 ± 0.9 points (p < 0.001). Secondary outcomes: CMJ height decreased for all groups (−0.63 ± 4.07 cm; p = 0.005). There was no change in DJ height and vascularity (p > 0.05) in either group.ConclusionDespite an overall clinical improvement, it was exclusively the high-loading intervention that induced significant mechanical and morphological adaptations of the plantar flexor muscle–tendon unit. This might contribute to protecting the tendon from strain-induced injury. Thus, we recommend the high-loading intervention as an effective (alternative) therapeutic protocol in Achilles tendinopathy rehabilitation management in males.Clinical Trials Registration Number: NCT02732782.

The effect of combined Action Observation Therapy with eccentric exercises in the treatment of mid-portion Achilles-tendinopathy: a feasibility pilot randomised controlled trial

BackgroundMid-portion Achilles Tendinopathy (AT) is a common musculoskeletal condition with varying rehabilitation success rates. Despite the prevalence of this condition, a considerable proportion of individuals experience persisting pain and functional deficits. Current treatment approaches bias the biomedical model which emphasises physically treating and loading the tendon. Overall, there is a lack of consideration for the central nervous system that is commonly implicated in chronic injuries. The aim of this pilot study was to explore the feasibility of combining Action Observation Therapy (AOT), a treatment technique which targets central changes and influences motor learning, with eccentric exercises in the treatment of mid-portion AT. AOT involves the observation of movements and is commonly followed by the physical performance of these same movements.MethodologyThis was a double-blinded randomised controlled pilot feasibility study. All participants underwent the 12-week Alfredson eccentric training protocol. The intervention group watched videos of the exercises prior to performing these exercises, whilst the control group watched nature videos before performing the same exercises. Study feasibility was the primary outcome measure, with the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment- Achilles (VISA-A) selected as the primary clinical outcome measure.ResultsThirty participants were recruited, reflecting a 75% eligibility rate and 100% of eligible participants enrolled in the study. The retention rate at week 12 was 80%. At week six the mean VISA-A score improved by 18.1 (95% CI 10.2–26.0) in the intervention group and 7.7 (95% CI 0.3–14.9) in the control group, and 75% and 33% of participants in the intervention and control group respectively exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). At week 12 the mean VISA-A score from baseline improved by 22.25 (95% CI 12.52–31.98) in the intervention group and 16.5-(95% CI 8.47–24.53) in the control group, equating to 75% and 58% in each group respectively exceeding the MCID.ConclusionThe positive feasibility outcomes and exploratory data from the clinical outcome measures suggest that a larger scaled RCT is warranted to further investigate the impact of AOT in the rehabilitation of mid-portion AT.Trial registration ISRCTN58161116, first registered on the 23/12/2020.

Clinical Outcomes of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy: an Analysis of Injury Location, Age, and Body Mass Index

Category: Sports; Other Introduction/Purpose: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is one of the major advances in orthopedics over the last 20 years as a method for orthopedic surgeons to conservatively treat tendon pathologies such as Achilles tendinopathy (AT). Unfortunately, previous studies involve only a small number of cases, relatively short duration of symptoms, and simple measures of pain. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of age, body mass index (BMI), and location of AT (Insertional (IAT) or Non-Insertional (nIAT)) on clinical outcomes and return to sport (RTS) time after ESWT. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study that included existing clinical data from 40 patients from a single academic institution. Patients greater than 18 years of age who underwent ESWT for Achilles tendinopathy in the office setting between 8/1/2019 to 8/30/2021 were included. Clinical outcomes of patients were evaluated through the self-reported Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) scores for assessing pain and functional outcomes of Achilles Tendinopathy. Descriptive statistics were used to provide an overview of the patient characteristics, including sex, age, laterality of injury, BMI, duration of symptoms, RTS time, and follow-up. For these data, mean and standard deviation were calculated, and paired samples T-tests and Welch's T-tests were performed on clinical outcome scores. Results: This study included 48 patients (62 heels), with an average age of 50.8+-14.2 years, BMI of 27.3+-5.3, follow-up of 6.41+- 6.9 months, and RTP time of 5.39+-5.3 weeks. Patients with a BMI &lt;25.0 had significantly higher post-operative VISA-A scores (p=0.007) compared to those with a BMI &gt;25.0, and post-operative VAS scores displayed this trend without significance (p=0.07). Patients &lt;=50 years old had significantly higher post-operative VISA-A scores (p=0.02) compared to those &gt;50 years old, and post-operative VAS scores displayed this trend without significance (p=0.1). Pre- and post-operative VISA-A scores, and post- operative VAS scores, were not significantly different between IAT and nIAT cohorts, except for pre-operative VAS scores where nIAT was higher (p=0.03). Additionally, we found significant improvements in pre-operative to post-operative scores for VAS scores for IAT and nIAT cohorts (p&lt;0.0001), as well for VISA-A for the IAT cohort (p=0.008), but no significant improvement in VISA for the nIAT cohort (p=0.119). Conclusion: Increased BMI and age are determinant factors that significantly adversely affect functional scores (VISA-A) in patients with AT treated with ESWT, but no significant differences were found for these risk factors in terms of pain improvement (VAS). Additionally, we found that the nIAT cohort had significantly higher pre-operative pain than IAT, and no significant improvement in VISA-A scores (though there was a trend of functional improvement). This aligns with the fact that the mid- substance of the Achilles tendon is a watershed area with relatively low vascularity compared to the insertional portion, where lower perfusion weakens the healing benefits of ESWT.

Effect of Ultrasonography-Guided Corticosteroid Injection vs Placebo Added to Exercise Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy

Corticosteroid injections and exercise therapy are commonly used to treat chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy, but the evidence for this combination is limited. To investigate the effect of corticosteroid injection and exercise therapy compared with placebo injection and exercise therapy for patients with Achilles tendinopathy. This was a participant-blinded, physician-blinded, and assessor-blinded randomized clinical trial of patients with Achilles tendinopathy verified by ultrasonography. Assessment of pain and function were conducted at baseline and at 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Patients were recruited from a university medical clinic and a private rheumatology clinic in Denmark between April 2016 and September 2018. Data analysis was performed from June to September 2021. Corticosteroid injection and placebo injection were performed with ultrasonography guidance. Exercise therapy was based on previous trials and consisted of 3 exercises done every second day. The primary outcome was the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) score (range, 1-100, with 100 representing no symptoms) at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included pain measured using a 100-mm Visual Analog Scale for morning pain and pain during exercise (with higher scores indicating worse pain), global assessment (Likert scale), and tendon thickness. A total of 100 patients were included, with 52 randomized to placebo (mean age, 46 years [95% CI, 44-48 years]; 32 men [62%]) and 48 randomized to corticosteroid injection (mean age, 47 years [95% CI, 45-49 years]; 28 men [58%]). Patients in the 2 groups had similar height (mean [SD], 177 [8] cm), weight (mean [SD], 79 [12] kg), and VISA-A score (mean [SD], 46 [18]) at baseline. The group receiving exercise therapy combined with corticosteroid injections had a 17.7-point (95% CI, 8.4-27.0 points; P < .001) larger improvement in VISA-A score compared with patients receiving exercise therapy combined with placebo injections at 6 months. No severe adverse events were observed in either group, and there was no deterioration in the long term (2-year follow-up). Corticosteroid injections combined with exercise therapy were associated with better outcomes in the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy compared with placebo injections and exercise therapy. A combination of exercise therapy and corticosteroid injection should be considered in the management of long-standing Achilles tendinopathy. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02580630.

Differences at the Achilles Insertion Between Adults with Insertional and Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy as Observed Using Ultrasound.

The purpose of this study was to determine structural and pathological differences of Achilles tendon insertion between insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) and midportion Achilles tendinopathy (MidAT) in both injured and uninjured sides. Patients (n=34; 58.8% male) with unilateral Achilles tendinopathy (50% with IAT; 50% with MidAT) were recruited. Median age 52 years and Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment - Achilles (VISA-A) score mean 59, and 17 (12 male) had MidAT, median(range) age of 58(48)years, and VISA-A score mean(SD) 59.1(19.7). Ultrasound imaging was used to evaluate structural measurements at the insertion (insertional length, bone-to-insertion length, and tendon insertion angle), tendon length (calcaneus to soleus), tendon thickness at the calcaneal edge, and the presence of pathological changes (boney deformity and/or calcification). A 2×2 mixed Analysis of Variance (group by side) was used to compare IAT and MidAT groups and injured and uninjured sides. Tendon thickness at the calcaneus on the injured side was significantly greater than the uninjured side in the IAT group but not in the MidAT group (P=.001). VISA-A score was 59.9(18.7) in IAT group and 59.1(19.7) for MidAT group (P=.909). There were no significant group-by-side interactions for structural measurements at insertion site. Calcaneal edge tendon thickness was the only significant structural difference observed between involved and uninvolved sides in IAT, although this was not found in in MidAT.

Do High-Volume Injections Affect the Ultrasonographic Neovascularization in Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy? A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

High-volume injections (HVIs) are thought to target neovascularization in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy (AT), yet the mechanism has not been clarified. Therefore, we aim to evaluate whether a HVI decreases ultrasonographic Doppler flow in patients with chronic midportion AT. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Sports medicine department at a district general hospital. Sixty-two patients with clinically diagnosed chronic midportion AT were included and randomized into the intervention group (HVI-group, n = 30) and placebo group (n = 32). A daily calf-muscle exercise program combined with either (1) a HVI (HVI-group: 50 mL) or (2) a placebo-injection (placebo-group: 2 mL) with a mixture of saline and lidocaine. Primary outcome was the surface area quantification (SAQ) score (%) of the Doppler flow during a 24-week follow-up period. Secondary outcome was the association between SAQ scores and symptoms [Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A)]. Outcomes were measured before, directly after, and 1 hour after the injection and at 2, 6, 12, and 24 weeks of follow-up. There was no significant between-group difference at 24 weeks [-0.1%; 95% confidence interval (CI), -4.9 to 4.7] or at any of the other time points. Change in SAQ score did not correlate with the change in VISA-A score (P = 0.93). A HVI does not affect Doppler flow in patients with chronic midportion AT. Also, changes in Doppler flow were not associated with the clinical outcome. These findings challenge the theoretical basis of a HVI. NCT02996409.

Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) Questionnaire-Minimal Clinically Important Difference for Active People With Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy: A Prospective Cohort Study.

To determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) score in patients with midportion Achilles tendinopathy (AT). Prospective cohort study. We included physically active patients with midportion AT who received exercises and an injection. We measured the VISA-A score (ranging from 0 to 100 points, where 100 points represents a healthy tendon) at baseline and at 12 weeks and 24 weeks after treatment, and the 7-point Global Assessment Scale (ranging from "worse than ever" to "completely recovered") at 12 weeks and 24 weeks after treatment. We dichotomized the Global Assessment Scale to not improved ("worse than ever" to "unchanged") or improved ("moderately improved" to "completely recovered"). The area under the curve and the Youden's index value closest to 1 were determined for both MCIDs (12 and 24 weeks), with corresponding sensitivity and specificity. Sixty-four patients were included, and 61 patients (95%) completed the 24-week follow-up. The MCID was 14 points (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3, 19) over a 12-week period, corresponding to 57% sensitivity and 88% specificity. The MCID was 7 points (95% CI: -10, 28) over a 24-week period, with 85% sensitivity and 62% specificity. A change in VISA-A score of at least 14 points after 12 weeks or at least 7 points after 24 weeks of exercise therapy and an injection reflects a meaningful change for physically active patients with midportion AT. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2021;51(10):510-516. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.10040.

No Difference in Clinical Effects When Comparing Alfredson Eccentric and Silbernagel Combined Concentric-Eccentric Loading in Achilles Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background:Alfredson isolated eccentric loading and Silbernagel concentric–eccentric loading have both shown beneficial effects on clinical symptoms in midportion Achilles tendinopathy (AT), but they have never been compared directly.Purpose:To test for differences in clinical effects at 1-year follow-up between Alfredson and Silbernagel loading in midportion AT.Study Design:Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:A total of 40 recreational athletes were allocated to the Alfredson group (AG) or the Silbernagel group (SG). The primary outcome was the difference in the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment–Achilles (VISA-A) at 1-year follow-up. Secondary outcomes were the visual analog scale for pain during activities of daily living (VAS-ADL) and sports activities (VAS–sports), the EuroQol 5 Dimensions instrument (EQ-5D), and global perceived effect score. Measurements were performed at baseline and 12-week, 26-week, and 1-year follow-up. Analysis was performed using a linear mixed-regression model with intervention (AG vs SG), time (12 weeks, 26 weeks, and 1 year postoperatively), and intervention-by-time interaction.Results:The VISA-A score improved for both AG and SG, from 60.7 ± 17.1 at baseline to 89.4 ± 13.0 at 1-year follow-up and from 59.8 ± 22.2 to 83.2 ± 22.4, respectively (P < .001 for both). Because the interaction term did not significantly improve the model, we reported a treatment effect without interaction term, indicating a constant difference at each follow-up. The linear mixed model with correction for baseline VISA-A and confounders revealed a nonsignificant treatment effect (2.4 [95% CI, –8.5 to 13.3]; P = .656). In addition, after adjustment for the respective baseline values and confounders, nonsignificant treatment effects were found for the VAS-ADL (–2.0 [95% CI, –11.3 to 7.3]; P = .665) and VAS-sports (1.3 [95% CI, –12.8 to 15.3], P = .858). The EQ-5D subscales improved in both groups. After 1 year, significantly more SG participants considered themselves improved (77.3% [SG] vs 50.0% [AG]; P = .04).Conclusion:No differences in clinical effects were found between Alfredson and Silbernagel loading at up to 1-year follow-up. Both programs significantly improved clinical symptoms, and given their high adherence rates, offering either of them as a home-based program with limited supervision appears to be an effective treatment strategy for midportion AT.Registration:NTR5638 (Netherlands Trial Register number).

Science, Medicine, and the Anesthesiologist

Science, Medicine, and the Anesthesiologist