Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Section F - Medical and Surgical Interventions: Difference between revisions
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| Use of GTN may enhance exercise outcomes. If prescribed by a physician may be applied by a physiotherapist and used in conjunction with an eccentric exercise program. | | Use of GTN may enhance exercise outcomes. If prescribed by a physician may be applied by a physiotherapist and used in conjunction with an eccentric exercise program. | ||
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*''Click to go back to the [[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Treatment Algorithm|Treatment Algorithm]]'' | |||
*''Click to go back to the [[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Summary of Interventions|Summary of Interventions]]''<br> | |||
*''Click to go back to ''[[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Appendix A|''Appendix A: Exercise Programs'']] | |||
*''Click to go back to ''[[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Appendix B|''Appendix B: Low Level Laser Therapy Dosage Calculation'']] | |||
*''Click to go back to: ''[[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Appendix C|''Appendix C: Details of Articles on Interventions'']] | |||
== Injection Therapies == | == Injection Therapies == | ||
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| Provides another treatment option when conservative<br>treatment has been unsatisfactory. | | Provides another treatment option when conservative<br>treatment has been unsatisfactory. | ||
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*''Click to go back to the ''[[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit|''contents page'']] | |||
*''Click to go back to the [[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Treatment Algorithm|Treatment Algorithm]]'' | |||
*''Click to go back to the [[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Summary of Interventions|Summary of Interventions]]''<br> | |||
*''Click to go back to ''[[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Appendix A|''Appendix A: Exercise Programs'']] | |||
*''Click to go back to ''[[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Appendix B|''Appendix B: Low Level Laser Therapy Dosage Calculation'']] | |||
*''Click to go back to: ''[[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Appendix C|''Appendix C: Details of Articles on Interventions'']] | |||
== Dry Needling == | == Dry Needling == | ||
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| Provides another treatment option for clients that have failed to respond to other conservative treatment. | | Provides another treatment option for clients that have failed to respond to other conservative treatment. | ||
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*''Click to go back to the ''[[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit|''contents page'']] | |||
*''Click to go back to the [[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Treatment Algorithm|Treatment Algorithm]]'' | |||
*''Click to go back to the [[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Summary of Interventions|Summary of Interventions]]''<br> | |||
*''Click to go back to ''[[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Appendix A|''Appendix A: Exercise Programs'']] | |||
*''Click to go back to ''[[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Appendix B|''Appendix B: Low Level Laser Therapy Dosage Calculation'']] | |||
*''Click to go back to: ''[[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Appendix C|''Appendix C: Details of Articles on Interventions'']] | |||
== Surgical Approaches == | == Surgical Approaches == | ||
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Developed by Michael Yates, PT. BC Physiotherapy Tendinopathy Task Force. April 2012. | Developed by Michael Yates, PT. BC Physiotherapy Tendinopathy Task Force. April 2012. | ||
*''Click to go back to the ''[[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit|''contents page'']] | |||
*''Click to go back to the [[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Treatment Algorithm|Treatment Algorithm]]'' | |||
*''Click to go back to the [[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Summary of Interventions|Summary of Interventions]]''<br> | |||
*''Click to go back to ''[[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Appendix A|''Appendix A: Exercise Programs'']] | |||
*''Click to go back to ''[[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Appendix B|''Appendix B: Low Level Laser Therapy Dosage Calculation'']] | |||
*''Click to go back to: ''[[Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Appendix C|''Appendix C: Details of Articles on Interventions'']] | |||
= References = | = References = | ||
<references /> | <references /> |
Revision as of 18:33, 31 July 2012
Achilles Tendinopathy: Medical and Surgical Interventions[edit | edit source]
The purpose of this document is to summarize common medical and surgical interventions which may be considered for the management of Achilles tendinopathy – particularly if it is not responding adequately to more strongly supported conservative management strategies (see “Achilles Tendinopathy: Summary of the Evidence for Physical Therapy Interventions”).
Pharmacological Approaches[edit | edit source]
NSAIDS[1][edit | edit source]
Method | Short term benefit in the acute stage of tendinopathy to minimise inflammatory process. | |
Proposed Mechanism | Interrupts the chemical pathway of inflammation. | |
Benefit: Pros/Cons |
Pros: | Inexpensive, easily accessible. |
Cons: |
| |
Evidence |
Weak evidence for a modest effect in acute stage in Achilles tendinopathy. Recommendation for a short course of NSAIDs for acute symptoms within 14 days. No difference between oral or topical application. | |
Take Home Message |
PTs are involved in the treatment of tendon pain at all stages of recovery. General knowledge of commonly used NSAIDS is important for treatment planning. |
Corticosteroid (injection)[2][3][4][5][edit | edit source]
Method | Short‐term benefit in acute stage. In chronic tendinopathy, the role of inflammation is unclear, and the rationale for the use of anti‐inflammatory injections is controversial. Many studies report an absence of cellular features of inflammation in chronic tendinopathy. | |
Proposed Mechanism | Injection into the paratendon to interrupt the inflammatory process. | |
Benefit: Pros/Cons |
Pros: |
|
Cons: |
| |
Evidence | There is a lack of high quality evidence to support the use of local corticosteroid injections in chronic Achilles tendon lesions. Generally, lack of well‐designed clinical trials. | |
Take Home Message |
PTs are involved in the treatment of tendon pain at all stages of recovery. The appropriate use of corticosteroid is important in treatment planning. There are animal studies that suggest risk of tendon rupture after corticosteroid injection. A greater risk of rupture in human tendons has not been demonstrated in comparison to the natural history of tendon rupture (case studies only). Caution is recommended in progressing the loading of the tendon within two weeks of injection (exercise precautions). |
Glycerol Trinitrate (GTN)[6][7][8][9][edit | edit source]
Method | Nitro‐glycerine patches applied over tendon to enhance healing. | |
Proposed Mechanism | Nitric oxide may increase blood flow to the tendon and stimulate repair by enhancing fibroblast proliferation. | |
Benefit: Pros/Cons |
Pros: |
|
Cons: |
| |
Evidence | Conflicting evidence limits conclusions. | |
Take Home Message |
Use of GTN may enhance exercise outcomes. If prescribed by a physician may be applied by a physiotherapist and used in conjunction with an eccentric exercise program. |
- Click to go back to the contents page
- Click to go back to the Treatment Algorithm
- Click to go back to the Summary of Interventions
- Click to go back to Appendix A: Exercise Programs
- Click to go back to Appendix B: Low Level Laser Therapy Dosage Calculation
- Click to go back to: Appendix C: Details of Articles on Interventions
Injection Therapies[edit | edit source]
Chronic Achilles tendinopathy is associated with abnormal proliferation of neovessels in the ventral portion of the tendon, and along with accompanying neural tissue, is associated with pain in tendinopathy. The presence of neovessels can be visualized by use of ultrasound (US) (sonography). Grey‐scale US is a reliable method to assess tendon structure. Color Doppler or power Doppler has also been used to visualize blood flow.
Conservative treatment for Achilles tendinopathy is unsuccessful in 24‐45% of cases. US‐guided injections are becoming increasingly considered as part of ‘best practice’ for treatment of tendinopathies that have failed to respond to other conservative treatment.
Polidocanol[10][11][12][13][14][15][edit | edit source]
Method | Originally developed as an anaesthetic, and widely used as a sclerosing agent in the treatment of varicose veins. | |
Proposed Mechanism | There is a body of literature that supports the use of US-guided injections of polidocanol to disrupt neovessels and accompanying nerve structures associated with chronic tendinopathy. | |
Benefit: Pros/Cons |
Pros: |
|
Cons: |
| |
Evidence | There is some evidence which supports the use of sclerosing agents to treat Achilles tendinopathy, although some studies present conflicting results. | |
Take Home Message |
PTs should have knowledge of more invasive techniques to help to facilitate referral of patients to other procedures when conventional treatment fails to result in a sufficient positive response. |
Prolotherapy[16][17][edit | edit source]
Method | Injection of hyperosmolar dextrose with small amount of anaesthetic to induce a ‘pro‐inflammatory’ proliferative cell response. | |
Proposed Mechanism |
Fibroblast proliferation, collagen maturation and resolution of neovessels are observed, with near normal appearance of tendon tissue structure observed with US. New viable tissue hypothesised to result from local release of cell growth factors. Medical dextrose also has a weak sclerosing effect on vessels. | |
Benefit: Pros/Cons |
Pros: |
|
Cons: |
| |
Evidence | Prolotherapy combined with eccentric exercise for Achilles tendon loading provides more rapid improvement in symptoms than eccentrics alone, although long‐term VISA‐A scores are similar. | |
Take Home Message |
Prolotherapy may enhance outcomes compared to using eccentric exercise, alone. |
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Autologous whole blood[17][18][19][20][edit | edit source]
Method | Centrifuge of autologous blood to collect a concentrate of the platelets and plasma. This is then injected back into the patient’s tendon. | |
Proposed Mechanism | Cellular and humoral (blood) mediators promote healing in areas of tendon degeneration. | |
Benefit: Pros/Cons |
Pros: |
|
Cons: |
| |
Evidence | A single RCT demonstrated no benefit of PRP compared to saline injections in AT. A consensus panel from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that physicians should proceed with caution using PRP in sports medicine (including Achilles tendon injuries). | |
Take Home Message |
PTs are part of a treatment team when treating tendon injury. General knowledge of PRP, PRGF and PDGF is important to assist patients in decision-making. |
High volume injection (HVI) or Hydrostatic dissection[21][edit | edit source]
Method | Small volume of anaesthetic/steroid and high volume of saline, delivered by US‐guided imaging. | |
Proposed Mechanism | The pressure created by the volume of substance into the tendon sheath is proposed to disrupt the neovessel ingrowth in Achilles tendinopathy. | |
Benefit: Pros/Cons |
Pros: |
|
Cons: |
| |
Evidence | Potential treatment option for Achilles tendinopathy that has failed to respond to a more conservative approach. | |
Take Home Message |
Provides another treatment option when conservative treatment has been unsatisfactory. |
- Click to go back to the contents page
- Click to go back to the Treatment Algorithm
- Click to go back to the Summary of Interventions
- Click to go back to Appendix A: Exercise Programs
- Click to go back to Appendix B: Low Level Laser Therapy Dosage Calculation
- Click to go back to: Appendix C: Details of Articles on Interventions
Dry Needling[edit | edit source]
The term ‘dry needling’ has been used to describe several techniques that involve insertion of a needle without injection of a substance. Needling of the tendon has been described by a number of practitioners using a hypodermic needle. Similar results using acupuncture needles have become more common. The technique is described below.
Dry Needline using a Hypordermic Needle ("tendon fenestration")[22][edit | edit source]
Method | Tissue trauma from the cutting edge of the needle/lumen. | |
Proposed Mechanism | Repeated lancing of abnormal tendon tissue creates haemorrhage followed by an inflammatory response, granulation and healing. Some needling techniques employ US to guide the needle (percutaneous needle tenotomy). | |
Benefit: Pros/Cons |
Pros: |
|
Cons: |
| |
Evidence | Needling alone without injection of a substance has shown a positive result for improving pain without complications. | |
Take Home Message |
Provides another treatment option for clients that have failed to respond to other conservative treatment. |
- Click to go back to the contents page
- Click to go back to the Treatment Algorithm
- Click to go back to the Summary of Interventions
- Click to go back to Appendix A: Exercise Programs
- Click to go back to Appendix B: Low Level Laser Therapy Dosage Calculation
- Click to go back to: Appendix C: Details of Articles on Interventions
Surgical Approaches[edit | edit source]
Surgical success rates are reported at 85% for Achilles tendinopathy that have failed to respond to conservative measures.
Percutaneous tenetomy[23][edit | edit source]
Method | Techniques include closed dissection of the tendon sheath by US‐guided percutaneous longitudinal internal tenotomy; or open surgical exposure of the tendon, followed by multiple longitudinal splitting of the tendon. | |
Proposed Mechanism | Surgical trauma creates granulation and repair, and interrupts fibrous adhesions. | |
Benefit: Pros/Cons |
Pros: |
|
Cons: |
| |
Evidence | Satisfactory outcomes for selected patients that do not have complicated Achilles pathology, and have failed to respond to a conservative treatment approach. | |
Take Home Message |
PT may be involved in the post‐op rehabilitation following surgery. |
Surgical debridement[24][edit | edit source]
Method | Central longitudinal incision to expose the tendon, with excision of disorganised and fibrotic tendon tissue and adhesions. Additional diathermy to destroy neovessels. | |
Proposed Mechanism | Surgery creates granulation and repair, and removes fibrotic tissue. | |
Benefit: Pros/Cons |
Pros: |
|
Cons: |
| |
Evidence | Surgery may be a successful option for patients that have failed to respond to conservative treatment, or have complicated Achilles tendon pathology. | |
Take Home Message |
PT may be involved in the post‐op rehabilitation following surgery. |
Minimally invasive stripping[25][edit | edit source]
Method | Small incision is made allowing a probe or scalpel to be inserted ventral to the tendon. The area of neovascularisation is stripped. | |
Proposed Mechanism | Disrupts abnormal blood/nerve supply, releases adhesions. | |
Benefit: Pros/Cons |
Pros: |
|
Cons: |
| |
Evidence | Retrospective, short‐term studies only. | |
Take Home Message |
PT may be involved in the post‐op rehabilitation following surgery. |
Developed by Michael Yates, PT. BC Physiotherapy Tendinopathy Task Force. April 2012.
- Click to go back to the contents page
- Click to go back to the Treatment Algorithm
- Click to go back to the Summary of Interventions
- Click to go back to Appendix A: Exercise Programs
- Click to go back to Appendix B: Low Level Laser Therapy Dosage Calculation
- Click to go back to: Appendix C: Details of Articles on Interventions
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ McLauchlan , G, Handoll, H. Interventions for treating acute and chronic Achilles tendinitis. Cochrane Collaboration of Systemic Reviews. 2009;2:1‐36.
- ↑ DaCuz D, Geeson M, Allen M, Phair I. Achilles paratendonitis: an evaluation of steroid injection. Br J Sports Med. 1988;22(2):64‐65.
- ↑ Shrier I, Matheson G, Kohl G. Achilles tendinitis: are corticosteroid injections useful or harmful? Clin J Sports Med. 1996;6(4):245‐250.
- ↑ Fredberg U. Local corticosteroid injection in sport: a review of literature and guidelines for treatment. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1997;7(3):131‐139.
- ↑ Speed C. Corticosteroid injections in tendon lesions. Br Med J. 2001;323:382‐386.
- ↑ Paoloni J, Appleyard R, Nelson J, Murrell G. Topical GTN treatment of chronic non‐insertional Achilles tendinopathy. A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery ‐ America. 2004;86‐A(5):916‐922.
- ↑ Hunter G, Lloyd‐Smith R. Topical GTN for chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Clin J Sports Med. 2005;15(2):116‐117.
- ↑ Paolini J, Murrell G. Three year follow‐up study of topical GTN treatment of chronic non‐insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Foot and Ankle International. 2007;28(10):1064‐1068.
- ↑ Gambit E, Gonzalez‐Suarez C, Oquinena T, Agbyani R. Evidence on the effectiveness of topical nitroglycerin in the treatment of tendinopathies: a systemic review and meta‐analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2010;91(8):1291‐1305.
- ↑ Ohberg L, Alfredson H. US‐guided sclerosis of neovessels in painful chronic Achilles tendinosis: pilot study of new treatment (original article). Br Med Association. 2001;p 1‐7.
- ↑ Alfredson H, Ohberg L. Sclerosing injections to areas of neovascularization reduces pain in chronic Achilles tendinopathy: a double‐blinded randomized trial. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2005;13:338‐344.
- ↑ Alfredson H, Ohberg L, Zeisig E, Lorentzan R. Treatment of mid‐portion Achilles tendinosis: similar clinical results with US and CD‐guided surgery outside the tendon and sclerosing polidocanol injections. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2007;15:1504‐1509.
- ↑ Willberg L, Sunding K, Ohberg L, Forssblad M, Fahlstrom M, Alfredson H. Sclerosing injections to treat mid‐portion Achilles tendinosis: a randomized controlled study evaluating two different concentrations of polidocanol. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2008;16:859‐864.
- ↑ Wijesekera N, Chew N, Lee J, Mitchell A, et al. US‐guided treatment for chronic Achilles tendinopathy: an update and current status. Skeletal Radiology. 2010;39:425‐434.
- ↑ van Sterkenburg M, Jonge M. Less promising results with sclerosing ethoxysclerol (polidocanol) injections for mid‐portion Achilles tendinopathy. Am J Sports Med. 2010;38(11):2226‐2232.
- ↑ Ryan M, Wong A, Taunton J. Favorable outcomes after US‐guided intertendinous injection of hyerosmolar dextrose for chronic insertional and mid‐portion Achilles tendinitis. (Original research). Am J Roengentoloty. 2010;194:1047‐1053.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Wijesekera N, Chew N, Lee J, Mitchell A, et al. US‐guided treatment for chronic Achilles tendinopathy: an update and current status. Skeletal Radiology. 2010;39:425‐434.
- ↑ De Vos R, Weir A, et al. PRP injection for chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2010;303(3):144‐149.
- ↑ Engebretsen L, Steffen K, et al. IOC consensus paper on use of PRP in sports medicine. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2010;44(15):1072‐1081.
- ↑ De Jonge S, de Vos R, Weir A, et al. 1‐year follow‐up of PRP treatment in chronic Achilles tendinopathy: a double‐blind random placebo‐controlled trial. American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2011;39(8):1623‐1629.
- ↑ Chan O, O’Dowd D, Padhiar N, et al. High volume image guided injections in chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2008;30:1697‐1708.
- ↑ Housner J, Jacobsen J, Misko R. Sonographically guided percutaneous needle tenotomy for treatment of chronic tendinosis. Journal of Ultrasound Medicine. 2009;28(8):1187‐1192.
- ↑ Testa V, Capasso G, Benazzo F, Muffulli N. Management of Achilles tendinopathy by US‐guided percutaneous tenotomy. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 2002;34(4):573‐580.
- ↑ Tallon C, Coleman B, Khan K, Maffulli N. Outcomes of surgery of chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Am J Sports Med. 2001;29(3):315‐320.
- ↑ Longo UG, Ramamurthy C, Denaro V, Maffulli N. Minimally invasive stripping for chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Disabil Rehabil. 2008;30(20‐22):1709‐13.