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Responsiveness of Quantitative Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Measures on the Healing of Achilles Tendon

NCT04651985 · Status: COMPLETED · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2022-11-03

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

To this day, the most accepted treatment for the Achilles tendinopathy (AT) remains the exercise program to strengthen the plantar flexor muscles. The eccentric exercises protocol proposed by Alfredson is the most popular and recommended one by the rehabilitation professionals. Currently, the response to interventions is measured almost exclusively by clinical data, especially using questionnaires, since the Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) is rarely used. In fact, the thickness of the Achilles tendon, which is generally the only measure noted when using musculoskeletal ultrasound on AT, does not allow the clinician to confirm an improvement following an eccentric exercise program if the tendon is thinner, especially in adults with chronic AT. No scientific evidence indicates whether there is an improvement in the biological integrity of the Achilles tendon following the completion of Alfredson's eccentric strengthening protocol. This is why it seems relevant to use the pre-established minimal biomarker data set obtained with the QUS in order to study the variation of these data in response to a rehabilitation intervention and to verify how these variations influence clinical data.

Conditions

  • Achilles Tendinopathy

Interventions

OTHER

Eccentric strengthening exercises of the Achilles tendon

This exercise will require the completion of slow active eccentric plantar flexion exercises with the forefoot positioned over the edge of a step. These exercises will be repeated twice daily (three sets of 15 repetitions with the knee in extension and three sets of 15 repetitions with the knee in flexion) during a three-month period. The amount of loading will be calibrated and progressed on a weekly basis by the physiotherapist according the participant's perceived effort and pain intensity.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Martin Lamontagne, MD · Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montreal (CHUM)

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
99 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2021-08-31
Primary Completion
2022-07-31
Completion
2022-07-31

Countries

  • Canada

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT04651985 on ClinicalTrials.gov