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Int J Sports Med 2012; 33(05): 390-394
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1299701
Orthopedics & Biomechanics
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Achilles Tendinopathy in Club Runners

Z. Shaikh
1   Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, United Kingdom
,
M. Perry
1   Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, United Kingdom
,
D. Morrissey
1   Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, United Kingdom
,
M. Ahmad
2   Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Radiology, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom
,
A. Del Buono
3   Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University Campus Bio Medico, Rome, Italy
,
N. Maffulli
1   Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, United Kingdom
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted after revision 24 November 2011

Publication Date:
29 February 2012 (online)

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Achilles Tendinopathy in Club RunnersInt J Sports Med 2012; 33(05): 394-394
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1313785

Abstract

Ultrasound (US) changes within the Achilles tendon are present in asymptomatic Achilles individuals. We assessed the association of US signs with symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy in a study group of club level running athletes and in a control group of athletes training at least 2 times per week. The Achilles tendon was assessed in its entirety on longitudinal US scans, at the musculotendinous junction (MTJ), the calcaneal insertion site, and at a midtendon point. 25 middle distance runners, 19 males and 6 females, aged from 18 to 58, were enrolled in each group. When compared to control athletes, club level runners presented significantly increased tendon thickness (p=0.046) at the musculo-tendinous junction, and increased tendon thickness, with no statistical significance, at the other landmarks points. Although club level runners were significantly more symptomatic and predisposed to develop signs of tendinopathy than control athletes (p=<0.001), ultrasound abnormalities were not significantly associated with local symptoms complained at the US investigation time. Prospective studies on asymptomatic athletes are needed to define the predictive value of US signs of Achilles tendinopathy in the development of symptoms in the long-term.

Key words

ultrasound - athletes - tendons - symptoms
 

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