Achilles Tendinopathy Shear Wave Elastography Study
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- STATUS
- Recruiting
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- End date
- Dec 3, 2022
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- participants needed
- 15
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- sponsor
- Emory University
Summary
The purpose of this prospective study is to utilize a real-time ultrasound modality known as real-time Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) to first study the viscoelastic properties of the Achilles tendon to understand the functional differences between normal/asymptomatic vs tendinotic/symptomatic tendon states. The secondary aim will be to assess the degree of tendon healing after percutaneous tenotomy (a minimally invasive technique that can be used to treat tendinosis) and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) targeting mid-substance Achilles tendinopathy. Utilizing a quantitative tool to assess healing response to percutaneous tendon fenestration and PRP injection may have significant clinical implications because it will provide insight into the mechanism of Achilles tendon healing.
Description
Achilles tendinopathy is a common affliction in athletes, recreational exercisers, the general population and even inactive people. Tendon pathology presenting clinically is most commonly seen in the chronic state and the exact pathogenesis of this disease has not been clarified scientifically.
The first part of the study aims to establish the difference between asymptomatic and symptomatic Achilles tendons by correlating elastography measurements (axial and sagittal mean velocity and relative anisotropic coefficient) with more standard clinically based outcome measures. Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) will be used with a small group of patients affected by moderate-to-severe, chronic (>6 months of symptoms) midsubstance Achilles tendinopathy in comparison to asymptomatic patients.
After establishing a range of normal to severe pathologic elastography measurements the researchers will conduct a 12-month clinical trial to determine whether percutaneous needling with PRP injection improves disease-specific clinical outcomes. PRP injection is commonly used in clinical practice to treat chronic tendinopathy. The pathophysiology is believed to be mediated through a variety of growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor, that promote a healing response. One of the main advantages is that PRP is autologous and is prepared at the time of treatment (point of care). It has an excellent safety profile with almost no side effects. SWE imaging will then be used to assess degree of tendon healing following tenotomy-PRP injection.
Details
| Condition | Achilles Tendinopathy |
|---|---|
| Treatment | platelet-rich plasma injection |
| Clinical Study Identifier | NCT03456778 |
| Sponsor | Emory University |
| Last Modified on | 27 February 2022 |
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