Tendoscopic peritendon shaving of midportion Achilles tendinopathy: A randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Achilles tendinopathy is among the most frequent tendon injuries in sport. Despite evidence-based management, a significant proportion of patients continue to experience symptoms. This is the first randomized trial to investigate the effect of tendoscopic treatment of midportion Achilles tendinopathy compared with placebo at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Patients with midportion Achilles tendinopathy (non-responsive to more than 6 months of nonsurgical treatments) were randomly assigned to receive either tendoscopic peritendon shaving or placebo tendoscopic treatment. The primary outcome measure was the total score of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire. Due to three adverse events (sural nerve injuries), in the group receiving tendoscopic treatment, the trial was stopped short of the planned 48 participants. All 23 patients included completed 3 months' follow-up (100%), 22 (96%) 6 months' and 19 (83%) completed 12 months' follow-up. The between-group estimates favored endoscopic treatment and ranged from 19 points (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1-38) at 3 months, 14 points (-7 to 34) at 6 months and 5 points (95% CI: -19 to 28) at 12 months. After 12 months, the tendoscopic group improved 47 points (95% CI: 29-65) versus 40 points (95% CI: 22-57) in the placebo-operated group. Despite a smaller sample size due to adverse events, VISA-A indicate faster recovery from tendoscopic treatment compared to placebo. These data suggest that tendoscopic treatment of midportion Achilles tendinopathy should be tested in further research; however, the technique needs to be refined to avoid sural nerve injuries.

Foot exercises and foot orthoses are more effective than knee focused exercises in individuals with patellofemoral pain.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of knee targeted exercises compared to knee targeted exercises combined with foot targeted exercises and foot orthoses in patients with patellofemoral pain. DESIGN: Forty adult individuals (28 women, 12 men) diagnosed with patellofemoral pain and screened for excessive calcaneal eversion were randomized to knee targeted exercises or knee targeted exercises combined with foot targeted exercise and orthoses. METHODS: The knee targeted exercises were prescribed during three supervised consultations. Individuals were instructed to perform the exercises 3 times per week during a 12-week period. The foot targeted exercises were prescribed for 2 times per week for 12 weeks with one session per week being supervised by a physiotherapist. The primary outcome was the subscale "pain" in the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) at 4 months. RESULTS: Individuals randomized to knee targeted exercises combined with foot targeted exercises and foot orthoses had 8.9 points (95%CI: 0.4; 17.4) - NNT=3 (2-16) larger improvement in KOOS pain at the primary endpoint. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of foot targeted exercises and foot orthoses for 12 weeks was more effective than knee targeted exercises alone in individuals with patellofemoral pain. The effect was apparent after 4 months, but not significantly different after 12 months.

Successful conservative treatment of patients with MRI-verified meniscal lesions.

PURPOSE: To follow a prospective cohort of consecutive patients with MRI-verified meniscal lesions to identify pre-treatment prognostic factors for long-term results following arthroscopic or conservative treatment. METHODS: In the course of 1 year, 291 patients with knee pain and clinically suspected of meniscal lesion were referred to the regional orthopaedic division and subjected to MRI and clinical examination by an experienced surgeon. Patients with MRI-verified meniscal lesions were treated according to an arthroscopy restrictive strategy meaning that treatment was initiated by conservative treatment. Arthroscopy was only performed if satisfying pain relief was not obtained. The Lysholm score and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were obtained at baseline and after 12-24 months. A multiple linear regression model was used to investigate which pre-treatment prognostic factors were associated with improvement in the KOOS subscale pain from baseline to follow-up. RESULTS: An MRI-verified meniscal lesion was found in 185 patients (64%). Among these, 58% were treated successfully by conservative treatment. A high KOOS subscale pain score at baseline was associated with less improvement from baseline to follow-up. Bucket-handle lesions were associated with larger improvement from baseline to follow-up compared to flap-tear lesions. CONCLUSION: MRI findings and clinical status measured by KOOS subscale pain are prognostic for improvement among patients treated for MRI-verified meniscal lesions. Good results were observed for both operative and conservative treatment. The success rate for conservative treatment was 58%. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective cohort study, Level II.

Effects of shock-absorbing insoles during transition from natural grass to artificial turf in young soccer players: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Playing soccer on artificial turf can provoke pain in young players. Using shock-absorbing insoles (SAIs) can result in decreased pain perception. We sought to investigate the pain and comfort intensity experienced during the switch from natural grass to third-generation artificial turf and with the use of SAIs on artificial turf during training in young soccer players. METHODS: In a prospective randomized controlled study, 75 players were included from the youth teams of U15, U17, and U19. Pain intensity and comfort were assessed after training on only grass turf for 3 months. Randomization stratified by team level and age was performed; the intervention group received SAIs, and the control group used their own insoles. Assessments were repeated after 3 weeks on artificial turf (baseline) and 3 more weeks (follow-up) on artificial turf with SAIs/usual insoles. RESULTS: Pain intensity increased and comfort decreased significantly after 3 weeks of training on artificial grass compared with natural grass (P < .05). The addition of SAIs resulted in significantly reduced pain intensity compared with the usual insoles (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The switch to artificial turf is associated with less comfort and more pain during training in young soccer players. The use of SAIs led to lower pain intensity, highlighting a protective role of the insoles after 6 weeks of training on artificial turf.

Pressure pain sensitivity changes after use of shock-absorbing insoles among young soccer players training on artificial turf: a randomized controlled trial.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled single-blind intervention trial. OBJECTIVES: Shock-absorbing insoles (SAIs), compared with usual insoles, were hypothesized to result in larger increases in pressure pain threshold (PPT) after 3 weeks of use. BACKGROUND: Shock-absorbing insoles can decrease self-reported pain among young soccer players training on artificial turf. However, nothing is known about the underlying changes in pain sensitivity assessed by PPT. Methods Seventy-five players were included from the youth teams of under 15, under 17, and under 19 years of age, playing for the Aalborg Boldspilklub (AaB) professional sports club. After a randomization stratified by team and age, players were divided into 2 groups, one that received SAIs and a control group that used their usual insoles. Assessments were made in both groups after 3 weeks of training on artificial turf (baseline) and 3 weeks later (follow-up). The primary outcome was change in PPTs from baseline to follow-up, with PPTs measured over 13 locations on the plantar surface of the foot, leg, and low back of the nonpreferred kicking leg. RESULTS: A significantly larger increase was found in PPTs from baseline to follow-up for the SAI group compared with the control group (mean difference, 62 kPa; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 40, 85 kPa). The PPTs increased significantly more among the SAI group compared with the control group (P<.05) for the abductor digiti minimi (mean difference, 82 kPa; 95% CI: 6, 157 kPa), tibialis anterior (mean difference, 125 kPa; 95% CI: 20, 230 kPa), medial gastrocnemius (mean difference, 83 kPa; 95% CI: -6, 171 kPa), and erector spinae (mean difference, 86 kPa; 95% CI: -17, 188 kPa). CONCLUSION: The use of SAIs resulted in increased PPTs after 3 weeks of training on artificial turf compared with controls, suggesting a protective role of SAIs in pressure sensitivity and pain perception.

Exercise therapy and custom-made insoles are effective in patients with excessive pronation and chronic foot pain--a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Excessive foot pronation is a causal mechanisms described in relation to injuries of the lower extremities. Evidence to support an effective treatment is insufficient. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of exercise and custom-made insoles to patients with excessive pronation and chronic pain conditions in the foot at short and long term follow-up. METHODS: Single blinded Randomized Controlled Trial with 80 subjects randomized: (1) Standard Intervention, (2) Insole, (3) Exercise, and (4) Insole+Exercise. Exercise - 12 week supervised program. Insoles - individually molded and posted. Pain was measured during walking, resting and running. Static and dynamic foot postures were measured as calcaneal angle, navicular drift, drop and height. RESULTS: The average duration of foot pain was 7.3 years. There was a significant pain reduction during walking within all groups at 4 and 12 months follow-up. No differences were seen between groups in any of the pain parameters. Weak correlations between changes in pain and foot postures were observed at baseline and one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: A significant pain reduction was seen in all groups, none of the treatment modalities seem to be superior with the number of patients included. Compliance in the standard intervention group was a concern at 12 months.

Dynamic midfoot kinematics in subjects with medial tibial stress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is a common diagnosis. Several studies have demonstrated that excessive static navicular drop (ND) is related to the diagnosis. However, no studies have yet investigated ND and the velocity of ND during dynamic conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate ND characteristics in patients with MTSS in dynamic and static conditions. METHODS: In a case-control study, 14 patients diagnosed as having MTSS were included from an orthopedic outpatient clinic. A control group consisting of 14 healthy participants was matched regarding age, sex, and typical sporting activity. Navicular drop was evaluated during treadmill walking by a two-dimensional video analysis. Static foot posture, static ND, dynamic ND (dND), and velocity of dND were compared. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable in relation to age, sex, height, weight, and foot size. No significant difference was found in static foot posture. Static ND showed a mean difference of 1.7 mm between the groups (P = .08). During treadmill walking, patients with MTSS had, on average, a 1.5-mm-larger dND (P =.004) and a 2.4-mm/sec-larger mean velocity of dND (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MTSS display a larger ND and a higher ND velocity during treadmill walking. Increased ND velocity may be important to this condition. Future studies should include velocity of dND to investigate the mechanisms of dND in relation to overuse injuries.

Tunnel widening after hamstring anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is influenced by the type of graft fixation used: a prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE: To compare the incidence of tunnel widening (TW) in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring graft using either (group A) transfemoral fixation implant (Transfix; Arthrex, Naples, FL) and an interference screw (Arthrex) in the tibial tunnel or (group B) extracortical fixation (EndoButton; Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, Andover, MA) in the femur and bicortical screw and washer distal to the tibial tunnel. TYPE OF STUDY: Prospective randomized study. METHODS: One hundred patients were included and randomized and 87 patients were assessed at a 1-year follow-up. The evaluation included standardized radiographs, KT-1000 data, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) ratings, and Lysholm score. The diameter of the tunnel at the 1 year follow-up was, after correction for magnification, compared with the tunnel diameter of the radiograph from 2 weeks postoperatively. A more than 2-mm enlargement was considered TW. RESULTS: In group A in which transfixation in the femur and interference screw in the tibia was used, 7 of 41 patients had developed femoral TW and 5 of 41 tibial TW. In group B, 20 of 46 patients had TW in the femur and 16 of 46 in the tibia (P < .05, chi-square test). No significant difference was found with respect to Lysholm score, IKDC, or arthrometric evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant reduction of TW in both the femur and the tibia using fixation points close to the joint, compared with the system where the distance between the fixation points is long. We conclude that the position of the fixation sites and type of fixation device are major factors in the development of TW after ACL surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, therapeutic study in a prospective randomized clinical trial.

No effect of Osteoset, a bone graft substitute, on bone healing in humans: a prospective randomized double-blind study.

We studied the effects of a newly marketed bone substitute, Osteoset, on bone healing in a tibial defect in humans. 20 patients undergoing an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction with bone-patella tendon-bone graft were block-randomized into 2 groups of 10 each. In the treatment group, the tibial defect was filled manually with Osteoset pellets, in the control group the defect was left empty. CTs of the defect were taken on the first day after the operation, 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. We found about the same amount of bone in the defect in the Osteoset and control groups after 6 weeks, 3, and 6 months. In the control group, but not in the Osteoset group, the bone volume increased from 6 weeks to 3 months. The Osteoset pellets were almost resorbed after 6 weeks.