A comparison of two exercise protocols in the management of chronic Achilles tendinopathy.

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Musculoskeletal Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

• Registration Number: PACTR201904468554670
• Lead Sponsor: niversity of Cape Town

Brief Summary

Not available

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2019-03-29
• Last Update Posted: 29 May 2023

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Pending
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

1. The participant must be running for more than or equal to one year.
2. They have to be aged between 35-55 years old with a BMI less than or equal to 30.
3. The participants should, on assessment present with posterior lower limb pain in the mid-portion of the Achilles tendon area of at least 3 months duration and additionally fulfill at least one of the following diagnostic criteria;
(a) early morning pain over the mid-portion of the Achilles tendon,
(b) early morning stiffness over the mid-portion of the Achilles tendon,
(c) a history of swelling over the Achilles tendon area,
(d) tenderness to palpation of the mid-portion of the Achilles tendon,
(e) palpable nodular thickening over the affected Achilles, and/or
(f) movement of the painful area in the Achilles tendon with plantar-dorsi-flexion (positive ‘‘shift’’ test)
4. VISA-A (Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment- Achilles) score less than 80.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Bilateral Achilles tendinopathy.
2. History of current or past fluoroquinolone antibiotic use (within the last 12 months).
3. Previous local corticosteroids injection in the Achilles tendon or the area surrounding the Achilles tendon prior to the onset of symptoms.
4. A history of Achilles tendon rupture.
5. Use of chronic medications
6. Diagnosed connective tissue disorders or any other systemic diseases believed to be associated with tendinopathy, such as, but not limited to, Elhers-Danlos Syndrome, benign hypermobility joint syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, hyperparathyroidism, renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus and familial hypercholesterolemia.
7. Insertional Achilles tendinopathy,
8. Congenital or acquired lower limb deformities.
9. Lower limb injury in the last 12 months and/or surgery to the lower limb in the last 2 years.
10. Participants who have performed the exact or similar exercise protocol in the last 4 weeks or received other treatment for their tendinopathy will not be eligible to participate.

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified