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Resistance Training and Injection Treatment for Achilles Enthesopathy

Not Applicable
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Achilles Entesopathy
Interventions
Drug: Corticosteroid injection
Drug: Local anesthesia injections
Registration Number
NCT04232358
Lead Sponsor
Bispebjerg Hospital
Brief Summary

Achilles enthesopathy is a common and often long-lasting injury among exercising individuals. Very little is known regarding the effect of different treatment strategies.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate two treatment strategies for achilles enthesopathy: Resistance training and restricted loading + corticosteroid injection compared to resistance training and restricted loading + local anesthesia injection.

50 patients with achilles enthesopathy are randomly assigned to the two treatment groups in this double blinded RCT.

Detailed Description

Achilles enthesopathy is a common and often long-lasting injury among exercising individuals. Symptoms are pain and swelling at the calcaneal insertion of the achilles tendon during and after exercise. Achilles entesopathy has not been thoroughly investigated and consequently, very little is known regarding the effect of different treatment strategies.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate two treatment strategies for achilles enthesopathy: Resistance training and restricted loading + corticosteroid injection compared to resistance training and restricted loading + local anesthesia injection.

It is hypothesized that treatment that includes corticosteroid injection is more effective than treatment that includes injection with local anaesthesia.

50 patients with achilles enthesopathy are randomly assigned to the two treatment groups in this double blinded RCT.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Corticosteroid injections + resistance trainingCorticosteroid injectionCorticosteroid injections every 4 weeks until symptoms resolve with a maximum of 3 injections + resistance training at home instructed via a smart phone training app and avoidance of pain aggravating activities for 3 months
Local anesthesia injections + resistance trainingLocal anesthesia injectionsLocal anesthesia injections every 4 weeks until symptoms resolve with a maximum of 3 injections + resistance training at home instructed via a smart phone training app and avoidance of pain aggravating activities for 3 months
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline in The Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment - Achilles Questionnaire (VISA-A)6 months

VISA-A is a patient reported outcome measure (PROM). Change from baseline is measured and reported. The scale ranges from 0-100 points. Higher score meaning a better outcome

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Evaluation of treatment effect measured on a Likert scale.1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months

The Likert scale used is an 11-point scale ranging from -5 to +5. +5 is cured and -5 is much worsened, 0 is the status when entering the study

Ultrasonographic measurement of achilles tendon thickness1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months

Ultrasonographic measurement of achilles tendon thickness in mm is measured relative to the baseline values

Change from baseline in The Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment - Achilles Questionnaire (VISA-A)3, 9 and 12 months

VISA-A is a patient reported outcome measure (PROM). Change from baseline is measured and reported. The scale ranges from 0-100 points. Higher score meaning a better outcome

Patient self reported activity level in percentage of the pre-injury activity level3, 6 and 12 months

Self reported activity in percentage of the pre-injury activity level

Ultrasonographic measurement of achilles tendon doppler activity1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months

Ultrasonographic measurement of achilles tendon doppler activity is measured (grade I-III) relative to the baseline values

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Bispebjerg Hospital

🇩🇰

Copenhagen, Denmark

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