A comparative study of the efficacy of corticosteroid injection against ultrasound therapy in Achilles tendinopathy.

Achilles tendinopathy is one of the causes of heel pain , which is a common chief complaint found in day-to-day practice in outpatient clinics treated by health care professionals . Achilles tendinopathy is common in both sedentary and sports people , mostly due to chronic overuse . Achilles tendinopathy is a part of ankle injuries . Patients present with symptoms like tenderness , pain and with or without swelling .Further more exostoses can develop within tendon .Tendinopathy can be classified as insertional tendinopathy or non insertional tendinopathy.

Diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy can be done by clinical examination and by using self reported chief complaints of tendinopathy which includes location of pain , pain with tendon loading , tendon stiffness or pain over a specified time and overall rating using visual analogue scale . Other radiological examination like x-rays , ultrasonography and blood examination required to rule out differential diagnosis .

Management of Achilles tendinopathy by non -surgical methods includes various physical therapies and modalities . Starting with conservative therapies for patients diagnosed with Achilles tendinopathy should include rest, heat, ice pack, stretching exercise, foot orthotics , topical medications and oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) . Further use of any other physical therapies , including ultrasound, extracorporeal shock waves, laser, and injections with steroids, autologous blood and platelet-rich plasma, prolotherapy , sclerosing agents and protease inhibitors .

Surgical treatments for Achilles tendinopathy include ventral paratenon stripping , open tendon debridement and tendon reconstruction procedures . The Foot and Ankle Ability measure (FAAM) can be used in assessment and monitoring of outcome measures achieved after management of Achilles tendinopathy .

There aren’t many research comparing the effectiveness of ultrasound therapy and corticosteroid injection. With conservative management (rest, heat, ice, stretching exercises, foot orthotics, topical medications, and oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)) common in both groups, the current study aims to compare the effectiveness of corticosteroid injection and ultra sound therapy. The study will be carried out after thoroughly educating the patients and using a predesigned study Performa that includes written consent, history taking, clinical examinations, investigations, and therapy information. All of the data will be examined at the conclusion of the study period in order to provide a detailed comparison analysis using the proper statistical methodology.