MedPath

Autologous Tenocyte Implantation in Patients With Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Achilles Tendon Injury
Tendinopathy
Achillodynia
Interventions
Other: Autologous Tenocyte Implantation
Other: Saline
Registration Number
NCT01343836
Lead Sponsor
Erasmus Medical Center
Brief Summary

This study is designed to compare the treatment of 2 groups in patients with Achilles tendinopathy: autologous tenocytes injection in combination with exercises versus saline injection in combination with exercises

Detailed Description

Overuse injury of the Achilles tendon is a common entity. When the exact origin of tendon pain is unclear, the term tendinopathy is preferred. Most accepted treatment at this moment is an eccentric exercise programme, according to the Dutch guidelines. However, a recent systematic review on the effectiveness of eccentric exercises to treat lower extremity tendinoses concluded that it is unclear whether eccentric exercises are more effective than other forms of treatment. Recent studies described new treatment strategies in tendinopathies, such as the use autologous Tenocyte Implantation (ATI). This treatment option can participate actively in tissue repair processes on cell level. The only published clinical pilot study in tendon research reported 60% improvement in all scores after 6 months follow-up.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
90
Inclusion Criteria
  • Pain on palpation 2-7 cm proximal from the tendon insertion ("midportion")
  • Symptoms > 2 months
  • Age 18-55 years
Exclusion Criteria
  • Clinical suspicion of insertional disorders , Achilles tendon rupture, plantar flexor tenosynovitis, sural nerve pathology, peroneal subluxation
  • Condition of the Achilles tendon caused by medications such as quinolones and statins
  • Known to have the following disorders: spondylarthropathy, gout, hyperlipidemia, rheumatoid arthritis and sarcoidosis.
  • Antibiotics allergy (aminoglycoside group)
  • A condition that prevents the patients from executing an active rehabilitation programme
  • Patient has received an injection for this injury
  • Patient has received surgical intervention for this injury
  • Patient has already one site (left or right) included in this study
  • Patient does not wish, for whatever reason, to undergo one of the two treatments
  • Known pregnancy
  • Nursing women

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Autologous Tenocyte ImplantationAutologous Tenocyte ImplantationIntratendinous ATI (autologous tenocyte implantation) injection with eccentric exercises
Saline injectionSalineIntratendinous saline injection with eccentric exercises
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
VISA-A score24 weeks

a validated instrument to detect the severity of symptoms in patients with Achilles tendinopathy

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Ultrasonographic tendon repair - Ultrasonographic Tissue Characterization (UTC)24 weeks

UTC provides quantitative information on tendon fiber alignment and the related ultra-structural integrity of the tendon tissue through a non-invasive approach and is used in several clinical trials in humans

Subjective patient satisfaction24 weeks

Patient satisfaction will be determined by asking the patient how satisfied he/she is with the effect of the treatment in 4 possible categories: excellent / good / moderate / poor. The groups "excellent" and "good" will be regarded as successful and the groups of "moderate" and "poor" as not successful.

Returning to sports level24 weeks

The patient will be asked whether they are able to return to their sports level. It is a subdivision in 5 groups: A. No sports; B. No return in sports; C. Returning in sports but not in desired sport; D. Returning in desired sport, but not yet old level; E. Returning to old level in desired sport.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Sports medicine department Medical Center The Hague

🇳🇱

Leidschendam, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath