Ultrasound-guided Dry Needling in Jumper’s Knee: A Case Report

Abstract

Background Jumper’s knee is a highly prevalent tendon condition in volleyball players population. Research on clinical effects of tendon dry needling in jumper’s knee is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to present clinical effects of ultrasound-guided dry needling of quadricipital tendon in a patient with jumper’s knee.

Methods A 23-years-old volleyball player, who experienced pain in quadricipital tendon for 5 months, was presented and treated by ultrasound-guided dry needling of quadricipital tendon with one session. Slightly limited knee flexion range of motion, high scores in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at rest and during Single-Leg decline Squat test (SLDS) related to high pain intensity, low scores in Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment (VISA-P) scale and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) were found. Further examination revealed sensitization of the quadricipital tendon (low pressure pain threshold).

Results We found important improvements in VISA-P, LEFS and VAS. Besides, pressure pain threshold and knee flexion during SLDS also showed improvements. Results which were obtained were better in all the variables studied and these recoveries were stable for 6 months.

Conclusions Our findings showed improvements in pain and function in medium term and could provide preliminary evidence of beneficial effects of quadricipital tendon dry needling in patients with jumper’s knee. Future studies are needed to clarify our results and compare dry needling with conservative treatments.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund Das Patellaspitzensyndrom, das sogenannte Springerknie (Jumpers knee), ist eine weit verbreitete Sehnenerkrankung bei Volleyballspielern. Forschungsergebnissse zur klinischen Bedeutung des Dry Needling (trockenes Nadeln) zur Behandlung von Sehnen des Springerknies existieren kaum. Infolgedessen war das Ziel dieser Studie, die klinischen Auswirkungen des ultraschallgeführten Dry Needling der Quadrizepssehne bei einem Patienten mit Springerknie darzustellen.

Methoden Ein 23-jähriger Volleyballspieler, der 5 Monate lang Schmerzen in der Quadrizepssehne erlitten hatte, wurde vorgestellt und in einer Sitzung durch ultraschallgeführtes Dry Needling der Quadrizepssehne behandelt. Der Befund ergab eine leicht eingeschränkte Kniebeugung, hohe Werte auf der visuellen Analogskala (VAS) im Ruhezustand, starke Schmerzen bei einseitiger exzentrischer Kniebeugung (en. Single-Leg-Decline-Squat-Test) sowie geringe Werte in der VISA-P-Skala (en. Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment) und der LEFS (en. Lower Extremity Functional Scale). Eine weitere Untersuchung ergab eine erhöhte Sensibilität der Quadrizepssehne (niedriger Druck der Schmerzschwelle).

Method In a prospective study, 30 SMA children (group I) were treated with externally controlled magnetic devices implanted parallel to the spine. The implants were extended in an outpatient setting every 3 months. Group I was compared to 15 SMA adolescents (group II) with untreated spinal deformities.

Ergebnisse Es wurden wichtige Verbesserungen bei VISA-P, LEFS und VAS festgestellt. Außerdem zeigten der Druckschmerz und die Kniebeugung während des SLDS Verbesserungen. Die Ergebnisse zeigten somit Verbesserungen in allen Variablen. Die Regeneration blieb 6 Monate lang stabil.

Schlussfolgerungen Unsere Ergebnisse zeigten mittelfristige Verbesserungen der Schmerzen sowie der Funktion und könnten vorläufige Nachweise für die vorteilhaften Wirkungen des Dry Needling der Quadrizepssehne bei Patienten mit Springerknie liefern. Zukünftige Studien sind erforderlich, um unsere Ergebnisse zu klären und das Dry Needling mit konservativen Behandlungsmethoden zu vergleichen.

Key words

musculoskeletal pain - myofascial trigger points - physiotherapy.

Schlüsselwörter

myofasziale Triggerpunkte - Physiotherapie - muskuloskeletale Erkrankungen

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