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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 10/2012

01-10-2012 | Editorial

Neovascularization in Achilles tendinopathy: have we been chasing a red herring?

Authors: Johannes L. Tol, Filippo Spiezia, Nicola Maffulli

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 10/2012

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Abstract

The concept of neovascularization in tendinopathy seems to have gained nearly mythological proportions and quasi-religious state: it is considered of diagnostic and prognostic value, related to clinical outcome, and the exclusive target of some therapeutic interventions. However, we question whether these assumptions are based on scientific evidence, and we come to the conclusion that, in the light of recent well-performed research, it seems that detecting neovessels has no additional value for the diagnosis, no firmly confirmed prognostic value, and no proven relation with symptoms. The role of neovascularization in this field should be re-thought.
Level of evidence V.
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Metadata
Title
Neovascularization in Achilles tendinopathy: have we been chasing a red herring?
Authors
Johannes L. Tol
Filippo Spiezia
Nicola Maffulli
Publication date
01-10-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 10/2012
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-2172-6

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