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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy

Published in:

01-08-2015 | Knee

Sclerosing injections and ultrasound-guided arthroscopic shaving for patellar tendinopathy: good clinical results and decreased tendon thickness after surgery—a medium-term follow-up study

Authors: Kerstin Sunding, Lotta Willberg, Suzanne Werner, Håkan Alfredson, Magnus Forssblad, Martin Fahlström

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 8/2015

Abstract

Purpose

Treatment of patellar tendinopathy/jumper’s knee with ultrasound-guided sclerosing injections or ultrasound-guided arthroscopic shaving has shown good clinical short-term results. Former studies indicate that the tendon thickness and structure stays unaffected after successful treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sonographic findings and clinical outcome 3–5 years after treatment of patellar tendinopathy with ultrasound-guided sclerosing injections or arthroscopic shaving.

Methods

Fifty-seven patellar tendons (43 patients) with chronic patellar tendinopathy were evaluated, with ultrasound, colour Doppler (CD) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction with treatment, 3–5 years after treatment. Functional status was evaluated with a single question—“Back in full loading activity?” yes or no.

Results

At endpoint (mean 46 months), there was a significant decrease in anteroposterior thickness of the proximal patellar tendon in patients treated with ultrasound-guided arthroscopic shaving but not after sclerosing injections. Tendon structure had improved, and CD local blood flow had diminished significantly in both groups. There were good clinical results with a significant decrease in VAS for pain after sclerosing injections (VAS 64 ± 18 → 17 ± 23) with 74 % satisfied patients and also after arthroscopic shaving (VAS 77 ± 16 → 13 ± 23) with 80 % satisfied patients. There were no significant differences in VAS between groups. A significant correlation between low local blood flow and high patient satisfaction was found.

Conclusions

Tendon thickness decreased over time after ultrasound-guided arthroscopic shaving, and tendon structure and local blood flow decreased after both treatments. There were good, and similar, clinical results with both methods.

Level of evidence

III.

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Title: Sclerosing injections and ultrasound-guided arthroscopic shaving for patellar tendinopathy: good clinical results and decreased tendon thickness after surgery—a medium-term follow-up study
Authors: Kerstin Sunding
Lotta Willberg
Suzanne Werner
Håkan Alfredson
Magnus Forssblad
Martin Fahlström
Publication date: 01-08-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 8/2015
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3028-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Sclerosing injections and ultrasound-guided arthroscopic shaving for patellar tendinopathy: good clinical results and decreased tendon thickness after surgery—a medium-term follow-up study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of evidence

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of evidence

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