Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Section B - Outcome Measures

Original Editor - Kim Jackson for The BC Physical Therapy Tendinopathy Task Force:

Prof. Alex Scott, Dr Joseph Anthony, Dr Allison Ezzat, Prof Angie Fearon, JR Justesen, Dr Allison Ezzat, Dr Angie Fearon, Carol Kennedy, Michael Yates, Paul Blazey and Alison Hoens.

Top Contributors - Kim Jackson, Cindy John-Chu and Rishika Babburu


Introduction[edit | edit source]

An outcome measure is a tool used to assess a patient’s current status. Outcome measures may provide a score, an interpretation of results and at times a risk categorization of the patient. Prior to providing any intervention, an outcome measure provides baseline data. The initial results may help determine the course of treatment intervention. Once treatment has commenced, the same tool may be used in serial assessments to determine whether the patient has demonstrated change. With the move towards Evidence Based Practice (EBP) in health care, outcome measures provide credible and reliable justification for treatment on an individual patient level.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)[edit | edit source]

PROMs are an important tool in today's physiotherapy practise. They provide feedback on a patient's health condition that comes directly from the patient and does not take into account any interpretation of the patient's response by a health professional. PROMs can take the form of questionnaires (in paper or electronic form) that include instructions and can be completed independently by the patient.

There are four commonly used PROMs for achilles tendinopathy - the Victorian Institute of Sports-Achilles (VISA-A) [1] and the VISA-A (Sedentary)[2], both of these are population specific and have been designed for achilles tendinopathy, and the Numeric Pain Reporting Scale (NPRS 0-10) and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) both of which are generic outcome measures that have not been specifically designed for achilles tendinopathy.

Victorian Institute of Sports-Achilles (VISA-A) Scale[edit | edit source]

This is the only questionnaire validated specifically for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy. Recommended as the primary outcome measure in clinic and research setting for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy[3]

  • 8-item scale. Max score= 100
  • 3 domains: pain, function, activity.
  • Clinically, scores >90 suggest full recovery.[4]
  • Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) = 15.4
  • No Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) to report for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy.[3]
VISA-A (Sedentary)[edit | edit source]

The original VISA-A questionnaire was designed for sports men/women and does not suit inactive individuals with Achilles tendon problems. As such it is difficult for doctors and Physiotherapists to measure change in symptoms and function in this group of patients, they often score badly on the questions despite a high level of functional improvement. This means that the results make it difficult to determine the effectiveness of treatment.

It has been estimated that up to 33% if mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy cases occur in non-active individuals.[5] In response to this the VISA-A (Sedentary) [2] was developed for the sedentary population - Available here.

There is no MCID or MDC currently available to report specific to this population.[2]

Numeric Pain Rating Scale[edit | edit source]

This is a generic outcome measure and not designed specifically for Achilles Tendinopathy. The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a segmented numeric version of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and is used to measure pain intensity only in adults. Although it is not validated for achilles tendionpathy, the psychometric properties of the NPRS are consistent across a variety of other musculoskeletal conditions [6] and for people who experience chronic pain.

When used on patients with mid-portion achilles tendinopathy, it is considered a useful tool to measure the immediate response to functional testing or post treatment response.

Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS)[edit | edit source]

The LEFS is another generic outcome measure that has been developed to measure lower limb extremity function. Expert opinion supports the LEFS as an outcome measure for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy, but the LEFS has not been specifically validated in this population. [7]

The objective of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) is to measure "patients' initial function, ongoing progress, and outcome" for a wide range of lower-extremity conditions.[8]. The LEFS is a self-report questionnaire where patients answer the question "Today, do you or would you have any difficulty at all with:" in regards to twenty different everyday activities.

  • 20 item scale. Max score = 80
  • Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) = 9 - Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) =6[8]

Performance-Based Outcome Measures: (Clinician-Reported)[edit | edit source]

Performance-Based clinical reported outcome measures require the patient to perform a task or set of movements that are supervised by a health care professional. Scores for performance-based measures can be either an objective measurement (e.g., time to complete a task) or a qualitative assessment that is assigned a score (e.g., normal or abnormal mechanics for a given task).

Heel-Rise Test[edit | edit source]

The heel-rise test a combination of load tolerance and calf muscle endurance. It aims to challenge the stretch-shorten cycle (SSC) of plantarflexors required for functional activity of the Achilles tendon. [9] The test is considered reliable[8] and requires no additional equipment for clinical use. It is suggested as the main impairment measure for Achilles tendinopathy.[10]

  • A unilateral test performed in standing, using the single leg stance
  • For symptomatic individuals, comparison is made between leg scores and to track improvement over time.
  • Pain levels can be assessed during testing using the NPRS for immediate feedback


You can watch the following video to see how this test is performed.

[11]

Single Leg Hop Test[edit | edit source]

The single leg hop test assesses energy storage-release function of the tendon, and the stretch-storage cycle (SSC) required for cyclic weightbearing activities such as running. [12]

There are many variations of this test but to assess Achilles tendinopathy it is recommended to hop on a single leg, similar to skipping, at a pace of 2 jumps/second. The goals is to achieve 25 'pain-free' hops. The reference point will be the asymptomatic side.

In the case of bilateral tendinopathy, compare the least symptomatic side to the worst leg.[12] Pain levels can be assessed during testing using the NPRS for immediate feedback.

It is also work noting if the quality of the hop decreases markedly with fatigue on the other leg.

Resources[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Robinson JM, Cook JL, Purdam C, Visentini PJ, Ross J, Maffulli N, Taunton JE, Khan KM. The VISA-A questionnaire: a valid and reliable index of the clinical severity of Achilles tendinopathy. British journal of sports medicine. 2001 Oct 1;35(5):335-41.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Raju J, Norris R, Gaida J, Cook J, O'Neill S. O15: development and validation of the VISA-A (sedentary) questionnaire: a modified version of the VISA-A for nonathletic patients with achilles tendinopathy. Online Journal of Rural Nursing & Health Care. 2017 Mar 22;17(1):S15-.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Murphy M, Rio E, Debenham J, Docking S, Travers M, Gibson W. Evaluating the progress of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy during rehabilitation: a review of outcome measures for self-reported pain and function. International journal of sports physical therapy. 2018 Apr;13(2):283.
  4. Iversen JV, Bartels EM, Langberg H. The Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment–Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A)–a reliable tool for measuring Achilles tendinopathy. International journal of sports physical therapy. 2012 Feb;7(1):76.
  5. Ryan D, O’Sullivan C. Outcome measures used in intervention studies for the rehabilitation of mid‐portion achilles tendinopathy; a scoping review. Translational Sports Medicine. 2021 Mar;4(2):250-67.
  6. Childs JD, Piva SR, Fritz JM. Responsiveness of the numeric pain rating scale in patients with low back pain. Spine. 2005 Jun 1;30(11):1331-4.
  7. Martin RL, Chimenti R, Cuddeford T, Houck J, Matheson JW, McDonough CM, Paulseth S, Wukich DK, Carcia CR. Achilles pain, stiffness, and muscle power deficits: Midportion Achilles tendinopathy revision 2018: Clinical practice guidelines linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health from the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2018 May;48(5):A1-38.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Mehta SP, Fulton A, Quach C, Thistle M, Toledo C, Evans NA. Measurement properties of the lower extremity functional scale: a systematic review. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy. 2016 Mar;46(3):200-16.
  9. Svantesson U, Osterberg U, Thomeé R, Grimby G. Muscle fatigue in a standing heel-rise test. Scandinavian journal of rehabilitation medicine. 1998 Jun 1;30(2):67-72.
  10. MacDermid JC, Silbernagel KG. Outcome evaluation in tendinopathy: foundations of assessment and a summary of selected measures. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy. 2015 Nov;45(11):950-64.
  11. CRTechnologies. Standing Heel-Rise Test (CR). Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OaFMAmWbD8 [last accessed 6 June 2022]
  12. 12.0 12.1 Silbernagel KG, Gustavsson A, Thomeé R, Karlsson J. Evaluation of lower leg function in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2006 Nov;14(11):1207-17.