RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated that a sub-group of patients with medial Achilles pain exhibit Achilles tendinopathy with plantaris tendon involvement. This clinical condition is characterised by structural relationships and functional interference between the two tendons, resulting in compressive or shearing forces. Surgical plantaris tendon removal together with an Achilles scraping procedure has demonstrated positive short-term clinical results. The aim of this case series was to determine the long-term outcomes on pain and Achilles tendon structure. METHODS: 18 consecutive patients (13 males; 5 females; mean age 39 years; mean symptom duration 28 months), of which three were elites, were included. Clinical examination, b-mode ultrasound (US) and Ultrasound Tissue Characterisation (UTC) confirmed medial Achilles tendon pain and tenderness, medial Achilles tendinopathy plus a plantaris tendon located close to the medial side of the Achilles tendon. Patients underwent US-guided local Achilles scraping and plantaris tendon removal followed by a structured rehabilitation program. Outcomes were VISA-A score for pain and function and UTC for Achilles structure. RESULTS: 16 of 18 patients completed the 24 months follow-up. Mean VISA-A scores increased from 58.2 (±15.9) to 92.0 (±9.2) (mean difference = 33.8, 95% CI 25.2, 42.8, p < 0.01). There was an improvement in Achilles structure with mean organised echo pixels (UTC type I+II, in %) increasing from 79.9 (±11.5) to 86.4 (±10.0) (mean difference = 6.5%, 95% CI 0.80, 13.80, p =0.01), exceeding the 3.4% minimum detectable change. All 16 patients reported satisfaction with the procedure and 14 returned to pre-injury activity levels. There were no reported complications. CONCLUSIONS: Improved pain, function and tendon structure were observed 24 months after treatment with Achilles scraping and plantaris excision. The improvement in structure on the medial side of the Achilles after plantaris removal indicates that compression from the plantaris tendon might be an important presenting factor in this sub-group.
RESUMEN
There is a need for effective therapeutic options for resistant patellar tendinopathy. Ultrasound (US)-guided arthroscopic debridement has demonstrated promising clinical results. OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate pain, function, tendon structure and adverse events after US and colour Doppler (CD)-guided arthroscopic debridement for persistent painful patellar tendinopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three consecutive patients (19 males and 4 females, mean age 28 years (±8), symptom duration 25 months (±21)), who had failed conservative management including progressive loading, were included. US+CD and ultrasound tissue characterisation (UTC) examination verified the clinical diagnosis and quantified baseline tendon structure. Patients were treated with US+CD-guided arthroscopic debridement followed by a specific rehabilitation protocol. Outcomes were VISA-P score for pain and function and UTC for tendon structure. Adverse events were specifically elicited. RESULTS: At 6-month follow-up, mean VISA-P score increased from 40 (±21.0) to 82 (±15) (mean deviation (MD)=42.0, 95% CI 32 to 53, d=2.4), while organised echo pixels (combined UTC type I+II) increased from 55.0% (±17.0) to 69.0% (±15.0) (MD=14.0, d=0.7, 95% CI 2 to 21). Both outcomes exceeded minimum detectable change values. Twenty-one participants returned to their prediagnosis activity levels, and there were no significant adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: US-guided patellar tendon debridement for persistent patellar tendinopathy improved symptoms and tendon structure without complications at 6-month follow-up. A majority (21/23) of the patients returned to their preinjury activity level. Further studies with longer follow-ups, preferably randomised and controlled, are needed.