A Weir

Incidence of midportion Achilles tendinopathy in the general population

Background Achilles tendon disorders, like Achilles tendinopathy, are very common among athletes. In the general population, however, knowledge about the incidence of Achilles tendinopathy is lacking. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods In a cohort of 57.725 persons registered in primary care, the number of patients visiting the general practitioner (GP) with diagnosis of mid-portion Achilles tendon problems was counted using computerised registration networks of GPs in 2009. Subsequently, the authors assessed associations of these rates with demographic characteristics. Results The incidence rate of Achilles tendinopathy is 1.85 per 1,000 Dutch GP registered patients. In the adult population (21–60 years), the incidence rate is 2.35 per 1,000. In 35% of the cases, a relationship with sports activity was recorded. Conclusion This is the first report on incidence rates of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy in general practice. With an incidence of 1.85 per 1,000 registered persons, Achilles tendinopathy is frequently seen by GPs. The actual incidence might even be higher due to study limitations. More research on the frequency of this injury is required.

No effects of PRP on ultrasonographic tendon structure and neovascularisation in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy

Objective To assess whether a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection leads to an enhanced tendon structure and neovascularisation, measured with ultrasonographic techniques, in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy. Design Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Setting Sports medical department of The Hague medical centre. Patients 54 patients with chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy were included. Interventions Patients were randomised to eccentric exercise therapy with either a PRP injection (PRP group) or a saline injection (placebo group). Main outcome measurements Tendon structure was evaluated by ultrasonographic tissue characterisation, a novel technique which quantifies tendon structure into four echo-types: echo-types I+II represent organised tendon bundles, whereas echo-types III+IV represent a disorganised tendon structure. Colour Doppler ultrasonography was used to measure the degree of neovascularisation. Follow-up was at 6, 12 and 24 weeks. Results A significant improvement in echo-types I+II was found after 24 weeks within both the PRP group (n=27) and the placebo group (n=27), but there was no significant between-group difference (95% CI −1.6 to 7.8, p=0.169). After 6 weeks, the neovascularisation score increased within the PRP group (p=0.001) and the placebo group (p=0.002), but there was no significant between-group difference in change in neovascularisation score at any point in time. Conclusion Injecting PRP for the treatment of chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy does not contribute to an increased tendon structure or alter the degree of neovascularisation, compared with placebo. Funding Biomet Biologics LLC, Warsaw, Indiana.

Prevalence of radiological signs of femoroacetabular impingement in patients presenting with long-standing adductor-related groin pain

Objective A decreased range of motion (ROM) of the hip joint is known to predispose to athletic groin injury. Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) of the hip leads to a reduced ROM. This study examined the prevalence of radiological signs of FAI in patients presenting with long-standing adductor-related groin pain (LSARGP). Design Prospective case series. Setting Outpatient Sports Medicine Department. Patients 34 athletes with LSARGP defined as pain on palpation of the proximal insertion of adductor muscle and a painful, resisted adduction test. Assessment A clinician blinded to the results of the radiological assessment performed a physical examination: iliopsoas length, hip ROM and anterior hip impingement test. Anteroposterior pelvic radiographs were examined by a second blinded clinician for the presence of: pistol grip deformity, centrum-collum-diaphyseal angle, femoral head neck ratio, coxa profunda, protrusio acetabuli, lateral centre edge angle, acetabular index and cross-over sign. Results The prevalence of radiological signs of FAI was 94% (64/68). The mean number of radiological signs in hips with LSARGP was 1.84 (range 0–4, SD 1.05) and 1.96 (range 0–5, SD 1.12) in asymptomatic groins (p=0.95). The anterior hip impingement test was positive in nine cases. There was no relationship with the number of radiological signs (p=0.95). There was no correlation between hip ROM and the number of radiological signs (p=0.37). Conclusion Radiological signs of FAI are frequently observed in patients presenting with LSARGP. Clinicians should be aware of this fact and the possible lack of correlation when assessing athletes with groin pain.

A 5-year follow-up study of Alfredson's heel-drop exercise programme in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy

Background Eccentric exercises have the most evidence in conservative treatment of midportion Achilles tendinopathy. Although short-term studies show significant improvement, little is known of the long-term (>3 years) results. Aim To evaluate the 5-year outcome of patients with chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy treated with the classical Alfredsons heel-drop exercise programme. Study design Part of a 5-year follow-up of a previously conducted randomised controlled trial. Methods 58 patients (70 tendons) were approached 5 years after the start of the heel-drop exercise programme according to Alfredson. At baseline and at 5-year follow-up, the validated Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment–Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire score, pain status, alternative treatments received and ultrasonographic neovascularisation score were recorded. Results In 46 patients (58 tendons), the VISA-A score significantly increased from 49.2 at baseline to 83.6 after 5 years (p<0.001) and from the 1-year to 5-year follow-up from 75.0 to 83.4 (p<0.01). 39.7% of the patients were completely pain-free at follow-up and 48.3% had received one or more alternative treatments. The sagittal tendon thickness decreased from 8.05 mm (SD 2.1) at baseline to 7.50 mm (SD 1.6) at the 5-year follow-up (p=0.051). Conclusion At 5-year follow-up, a significant increase of VISA-A score can be expected. After the 3-month Alfredsons heel-drop exercise programme, almost half of the patients had received other therapies. Although improvement of symptoms can be expected at long term, mild pain may remain.

Risk factors and prognostic indicators for medial tibial stress syndrome

The objective of the study was to examine the risk factors and prognostic indicators for medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). In total, 35 subjects were included in the study. For the risk factor analysis, the following parameters were investigated: hip internal and external ranges of motion, knee flexion and extension, dorsal and plantar ankle flexion, hallux flexion and extension, subtalar eversion and inversion, maximal calf girth, lean calf girth, standing foot angle and navicular drop test. After multivariate regression decreased hip internal range of motion, increased ankle plantar flexion and positive navicular drop were associated with MTSS. A higher body mass index was associated with a longer duration to full recovery. For other prognostic indicators, no relationship was found.

One-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial on added splinting to eccentric exercises in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy

Objective The study examined whether the addition of a night splint to eccentric exercises is beneficial for functional outcome in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy. Design One-year follow-up of a randomised controlled single blinded clinical trial. Setting Sports medicine department in a general hospital. Patients 58 patients (70 tendons) were included. Interventions All patients completed a 12-week heavy load eccentric training programme. One group received a night splint in addition to eccentric exercises. Main outcome measurements Outcome scores were: Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment—Achilles (VISAA) score, subjective patient satisfaction and neovascularisation score measured with power Doppler ultrasonography (PDU). Results For both groups the VISA-A score increased significantly (from 50 to 76 (p<0.01) in the eccentric group and from 49 to 78 (p<0.01) in the night splint group). No significant differences in the VISA-A score were found between the groups from baseline to one year (p = 0.32). The presence of neovessels at baseline did not predict a change in the VISA-A score after one year in the whole group (p = 0.71). Conclusion Eccentric exercises with or without a night splint improved functional outcome at one year follow-up. At follow-up there was no significant difference in clinical outcome when a night splint was used in addition to an eccentric exercise programme. Between 3 months and one year follow-up, a continuing increase in the VISA-A score was found. Assessment of the neovascularisation score with PDU at baseline has no prognostic value on long-term clinical outcome.

Manual or exercise therapy for long-standing adductor-related groin pain: a randomised controlled clinical trial.

HYPOTHESISnA multi-modal treatment program (MMT) is more effective than exercise therapy (ET) for the treatment of long-standing adductor-related groin pain.nnnSTUDY DESIGNnSingle blinded, prospective, randomised controlled trial.nnnMETHODSnnnnPATIENTSnAthletes with pain at the proximal insertion of the adductor muscles on palpation and resisted adduction for at least two months.nnnINTERVENTIONSnET: a home-based ET and a structured return to running program with instruction on three occasions from a sports physical therapist. MMT: Heat, Van den Akker manual therapy followed by stretching and a return to running program.nnnPRIMARY OUTCOMEntime to return to full sports participation.nnnSECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURESnobjective outcome score and the visual analogue pain score during sports activities. Outcome was assessed at 0, 6, 16 and 24 weeks.nnnRESULTSnAthletes who received MMT returned to sports quicker (12.8 weeks, SD 6.0) than athletes in the ET group (17.3 weeks, SD 4.4. p = 0.043). Only 50-55% of athletes in both groups made a full return to sports. There was no difference between the groups in objective outcome (p = 0.72) or VAS during sports (p = 0.12).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe multi-modal program resulted in a significantly quicker return to sports than ET plus return to running but neither treatment was very effective.

Shockwave treatment for medial tibial stress syndrome in athletes; a prospective controlled study

Objective The purpose of this study was to describe the results of two treatment regimens for medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS); a graded running programme and the same running programme with additional shockwave therapy (extracorporeal shockwave therapy; ESWT). Design A prospective observational controlled trial. Setting Two different sports medicine departments. Participants 42 athletes with MTSS were included. Intervention Patients from one hospital were treated with a graded running programme, while patients from the other hospital were treated with the same graded running programme and focused ESWT (five sessions in 9 weeks). Main Outcome Measures Time to full recovery (the endpoint was being able to run 18 min consecutively without pain at a fixed intensity). Results The time to full recovery was significantly faster in the ESWT group compared with the patients who only performed a graded running programme, respectively 59.7±25.8 and 91.6±43.0 days (p=0.008). Conclusions This prospective observational study showed that MTSS patients may benefit from ESWT in addition to a graded running programme. ESWT as an additional treatment warrants further investigation in a prospective controlled trial with the addition of randomisation and double blinding.

Resting thickness of transversus abdominis is decreased in athletes with longstanding adduction-related groin pain

The purpose of the study was to compare thickness of the transversus abdominis (TA) and obliquus internus (OI) muscles between athletes with and without longstanding adduction-related groin pain (LAGP). Forty two athletes with LAGP and 23 controls were included. Thickness of TA and OI were measured with ultrasound imaging on the right side of the body during rest. Relative muscle thickness (compared to rest) was measured during the active straight leg raise (ASLR) left and right, and during isometric hip adduction. TA resting thickness was significantly smaller in injured subjects with left-sided (4.0+/-0.82mm; P<0.001) or right-sided (4.3+/-0.64mm; P=0.015) groin complaints compared with controls (4.9+/-0.90mm). No significant differences between patients and controls in TA or OI relative thickness during the ASLR and isometric hip adduction were found (all cases P>/=0.15). In conclusion, TA resting thickness is smaller in athletes with LAGP and may thus be a risk factor for (recurrent) groin injury. This may have implications for therapy and prevention of LAGP.

A manual therapy technique for chronic adductor-related groin pain in athletes: a case series

The objective was to retrospectively examine whether a manual therapy technique is effective in the treatment of chronic adductor‐related groin pain in athletes. Thirty‐three athletes with chronic adductor‐related groin pain were approached. Thirty patients gave their consent to participate in the study. Patient satisfaction, return to activity and numeric pain score were recorded. Patients were treated after prewarming of the muscles; one hand is used to control the tension in the adductor muscles and the other hand is used to move the hip into abduction and external rotation. This flowing, circular motion stretches the adductor muscle group. The movement is repeated three times in one treatment session. Twenty‐five out of 30 (83%) athletes reported a good or excellent satisfaction. Twenty‐seven out of 30 (90%) athletes had resumed sport at (15/30) or below (12/30) their previous level of activity. The pain score for during or after activity decreased significantly from 8.7 to 2.2 after the treatment (P<0.01). This study shows that the manual therapy treatment might be a promising treatment for chronic adductor‐related groin pain in athletes.