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
