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Assessing Intratendinous Pressure and Its Correlation With Tendon Structure, Patient Characteristics, and Pain Symptoms in Individuals With and Without Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy

2. listopadu 2026 aktualizováno: University Hospital, Ghent

Assessing Intratendinous Pressure and Its Correlation With Tendon Structure, Patient Characteristics, and Pain Symptoms in Individuals With and Without Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy: An Observational Study

Study type: Observational study

Aim: To assess intratendinous pressure in individuals with and without midportion Achilles tendinopathy and investigate its correlation with tendon structure, patient characteristics, and pain symptoms.

Intervention: This is a non-interventional, observational study. Intratendinous pressure is measured using an invasive measurement method (e.g., Compass Universal Hg), used in accordance with its intended purpose.

Participants: Adults aged 18-55, both male and female, including patients with clinically diagnosed Achilles tendinopathy and healthy control participants.

Outcome measures:

  • Primary: Intratendinous pressure (mm Hg)

  • Secondary:

    • Tendon structure (e.g., tendon thickness, cross-sectional area (CSA) (cm2), tendon volume (cm3) determined on ultrasound and MRI)
    • Clinical outcomes (VISA-A, TENDINS-A)
    • Patient characteristics (e.g., activity level, BMI, symptom duration, age,..)

Discussion: The study seeks to better understand whether intratendinous pressure is increased in symptomatic Achilles tendons compared to healthy individuals. It also examines whether there is an association with structural tendon changes, a range of patient-related factors and the clinical symptoms experienced by the patient. The findings may help refine the pathophysiological understanding of Achilles tendinopathy and support the development of future treatment strategies.

Přehled studie

Postavení

Zatím nenabíráme

Podmínky

Intervence / Léčba

Detailní popis

Achilles tendinopathy is a debilitating injury that is common among athletes, especially those involved in running sports. Around 30% of all runners exhibit Achilles tendinopathy with an annual incidence of 7-9%. Despite its high prevalence, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of Achilles tendinopathy remain incompletely understood. An emerging concept is the potential role of impaired intratendinous pressure homeostasis in the onset and progression of tendinopathy. A substantial body of in vitro and in vivo research concerning intratendinous pressure has already been conducted by Dr. Lauren Pringels, yet important knowledge gaps remain.

This observational study aims to investigate whether intratendinous pressure differs between individuals with and without Achilles tendinopathy. A secondary aim is to explore whether the intratendinous pressure correlates with tendon structure, patient characteristics, and pain symptoms.

Participants will be divided into two groups: patients clinically diagnosed with midportion Achilles tendinopathy, and asymptomatic healthy controls. The study aims to include approximately 25-30 participants per group. Participants will be recruited through sports physicians, physiotherapists, social media and study advertisements. All participants will undergo a standardized evaluation consisting of questionnaires, intratendinous pressure measurement, clinical examination and imaging assessments.

Patient-reported outcome measures will include:

  • VISA-A (Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment - Achilles)
  • TENDINS-A (TENDINopathy Severity Assessment - Achilles)

Patient characteristics such as age, sex, height, weight, BMI, activity level, and symptom duration will be recorded.

Intratendinous pressure measurement will be performed using a simple, directly invasive measurement method (e.g., Compass Universal Hg), in accordance with its intended clinical use. The patient is positioned prone on the examination table, with the foot supported in 30° plantar flexion. In this position, the tension on the tendon is virtually zero, representing the resting condition. The invasive measurement method is introduced under ultrasound guidance and the pressure is determined at the center of the tendon. Needle positioning is done at a 30° angle, in a distal direction and parallel to the collagen fibrils, to minimize tissue trauma.

In patients with Achilles tendinopathy, intratendinous pressure is measured at the point where the tendon is most swollen. In asymptomatic individuals, intratendinous pressure is measured at a fixed point.

Imaging assessments include B-mode ultrasound and MRI scans to assess tendon structure, including tendon thickness, cross-sectional area and tendon volume.

Typ studie

Pozorovací

Zápis (Odhadovaný)

60

Kontakty a umístění

Tato část poskytuje kontaktní údaje pro ty, kteří studii provádějí, a informace o tom, kde se tato studie provádí.

Studijní kontakt

Studijní místa

      • Ghent, Belgie, 9000
        • Department of rehabilitation sciences
        • Kontakt:

Kritéria účasti

Výzkumníci hledají lidi, kteří odpovídají určitému popisu, kterému se říká kritéria způsobilosti. Některé příklady těchto kritérií jsou celkový zdravotní stav osoby nebo předchozí léčba.

Kritéria způsobilosti

Věk způsobilý ke studiu

18 let až 55 let (Dospělý)

Přijímá zdravé dobrovolníky

Ano

Pohlaví způsobilá ke studiu

Všechno

Metoda odběru vzorků

Vzorek nepravděpodobnosti

Studijní populace

Participants will be recruited from the outpatient clinics of UZ Gent and on the UGent campus, as well as through local physiotherapy practices and orthopedic clinics in the surrounding region. Recruitment methods include distribution of flyers, social media posts and direct referrals from healthcare providers. The study population consists of adults aged 18-55 years, including individuals with clinically diagnosed midportion Achilles tendinopathy and asymptomatic healthy controls.

Popis

Inclusion Criteria healthy controls:

  • Participation in sports that strain the Achilles tendon (recreational or competitive) at least once a week
  • Age: 18-55 y/o

Exclusion Criteria healthy controls:

  • History of Achilles tendinopathy/rupture/surgery or other ankle pathology (e.g., arthritis)
  • Current pain/stiffness in the Achilles tendon (VISA-A < 100)
  • Underlying systemic diseases (rheumatological disorders, e.g., SpA, psoriatic arthritis; hypercholesterolemia; endocrine disorders)
  • Current pregnancy
  • Use of (fluoro)quinolones in the last 2 years
  • Coagulation disorders
  • Contraindication MRI scan

Inclusion Criteria patients with achilles tendinopathy:

  • Participation in sports that strain the Achilles tendon (recreational or competitive) at least once a week
  • Age: 18-55 y/o
  • Duration of symptoms: > 6 weeks and < 3 years
  • Midportion Achilles tendinopathy (a + b + c must be met) (a: Pain from 2.5 cm proximal to the posterosuperior calcaneal edge ; b: Pain during exercise anamnestic/single leg hop test (VAS-HOP) ; c: Ultrasound hypoechoic zones OR power Doppler signal OR increased APD)

Exclusion Criteria patients with achilles tendinopathy:

  • History of Achilles tendon rupture/surgery or other ankle pathology (e.g., arthritis)
  • Combination of midportion + insertional tendinopathy
  • Underlying systemic diseases (rheumatological disorders, e.g., SpA, psoriatic arthritis; hypercholesterolemia; endocrine disorders)
  • Current pregnancy
  • Use of (fluoro)quinolones in the last 2 years ; corticosteroid injection/sclerotherapy/ESWT < 3 months ago
  • Coagulation disorders
  • Contraindication MRI scan

Studijní plán

Tato část poskytuje podrobnosti o studijním plánu, včetně toho, jak je studie navržena a co studie měří.

Jak je studie koncipována?

Detaily designu

  • Observační modely: CASE_CONTROL
  • Časové perspektivy: CROSS_SECTIONAL

Kohorty a intervence

Skupina / kohorta
Intervence / Léčba
Healthy controls

Individuals without achilles tendinopathy

Intratendinous pressure measurement will be performed using a simple, directly invasive measurement method (e.g., Compass Universal Hg), in accordance with its intended clinical use. The patient is positioned prone on the examination table, with the foot supported in 30° plantar flexion. In this position, the tension on the tendon is virtually zero, representing the resting condition. The invasive measurement method is introduced under ultrasound guidance and the pressure is determined at the center of the tendon. Needle positioning is done at a 30° angle, in a distal direction and parallel to the collagen fibrils, to minimize tissue trauma.

Patients with achilles tendinopathy

Patients with midportion achilles tendinopathy

Intratendinous pressure measurement will be performed using a simple, directly invasive measurement method (e.g., Compass Universal Hg), in accordance with its intended clinical use. The patient is positioned prone on the examination table, with the foot supported in 30° plantar flexion. In this position, the tension on the tendon is virtually zero, representing the resting condition. The invasive measurement method is introduced under ultrasound guidance and the pressure is determined at the center of the tendon. Needle positioning is done at a 30° angle, in a distal direction and parallel to the collagen fibrils, to minimize tissue trauma.

Co je měření studie?

Primární výstupní opatření

Měření výsledku
Popis opatření
Časové okno
Intratendinous pressure
Časové okno: Single measurement at baseline

Intratendinous pressure in the achilles tendon (mm Hg)

Single measurement at baseline

Sekundární výstupní opatření

Měření výsledku
Popis opatření
Časové okno
Patient reported outcome measures
Časové okno: Single measurement at baseline

VISA-A (Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment - Achilles) questionnaire ; score from 0-100 (higher score is better with 100 = no dysfunction, no pain)

Single measurement at baseline
Patient reported outcome measures
Časové okno: Single measurement at baseline

TENDINS-A (TENDINopathy Severity Assessment - Achilles) questionnaire ; score ranging from 0-100 (higher score is worse with 0 = no dysfunction, no pain)

Single measurement at baseline
Patient characteristics
Časové okno: Recorded at baseline

Collection of demographic and clinical variables including: age in years

Recorded at baseline
Patient characteristics
Časové okno: Recorded at baseline

Collection of demographic and clinical variables including: sex (M/V/X)

Recorded at baseline
Patient characteristics
Časové okno: Recorded at baseline

Collection of demographic and clinical variables including: height in cm

Recorded at baseline
Patient characteristics
Časové okno: Recorded at baseline

Collection of demographic and clinical variables including: weight in kg

Recorded at baseline
Patient characteristics
Časové okno: Recorded at baseline

Collection of demographic and clinical variables including: weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m²

Recorded at baseline
Patient characteristics
Časové okno: Recorded at baseline

Collection of demographic and clinical variables including: profession

Recorded at baseline
Patient characteristics
Časové okno: Recorded at baseline

Collection of demographic and clinical variables including: physical activity level (using a 6-point likert scale)

Recorded at baseline
Patient characteristics
Časové okno: Recorded at baseline

Collection of demographic and clinical variables including: duration of symptoms in weeks

Recorded at baseline
Tendon structure
Časové okno: Single measurement at baseline

Assessment of tendon characteristics using ultrasound including: tendon thickness (anteroposterior diameter in cm)

Single measurement at baseline
Tendon structure
Časové okno: Single measurement at baseline

Assessment of tendon characteristics using ultrasound including: cross-sectional area (cm²)

Single measurement at baseline
Tendon structure
Časové okno: Single measurement at baseline

Assessment of tendon characteristics using ultrasound including: vascularity (color and power doppler signal)

Single measurement at baseline
Tendon structure
Časové okno: Single measurement at baseline

Assessment of tendon characteristics using ultrasound including: tendon thickening (= anteroposterior diameter at thickest part of the tendon (cm) - anteroposterior diameter at 2cm proximal from calcaneal notch (cm))

Single measurement at baseline
Tendon structure
Časové okno: Single measurement at baseline

Assessment of tendon characteristics using MRI including: tendon volume (cm²)

Single measurement at baseline
Tendon structure
Časové okno: Single measurement at baseline

Assessment of tendon characteristics using MRI including: T2/T2* mapping

Single measurement at baseline
Perfusion pressure
Časové okno: Single measurement at baseline

Assessment of blood pressure to calculate perfusion pressure: ((diastolic pressure + 1/3 × [systolic pressure - diastolic pressure]) - intratendinous pressure)

Single measurement at baseline

Spolupracovníci a vyšetřovatelé

Zde najdete lidi a organizace zapojené do této studie.

Sponzor

Termíny studijních záznamů

Tato data sledují průběh záznamů studie a předkládání souhrnných výsledků na ClinicalTrials.gov. Záznamy ze studií a hlášené výsledky jsou před zveřejněním na veřejné webové stránce přezkoumány Národní lékařskou knihovnou (NLM), aby se ujistily, že splňují specifické standardy kontroly kvality.

Hlavní termíny studia

Začátek studia (Odhadovaný)

28. října 2026

Primární dokončení (Odhadovaný)

1. prosince 2026

Dokončení studie (Odhadovaný)

1. prosince 2026

Termíny zápisu do studia

První předloženo

14. listopadu 2025

První předloženo, které splnilo kritéria kontroly kvality

2. listopadu 2026

První zveřejněno (Aktuální)

9. listopadu 2026

Aktualizace studijních záznamů

Poslední zveřejněná aktualizace (Aktuální)

9. listopadu 2026

Odeslaná poslední aktualizace, která splnila kritéria kontroly kvality

2. listopadu 2026

Naposledy ověřeno

1. listopadu 2026

Více informací

Termíny související s touto studií

Další identifikační čísla studie

  • ONZ-2025-0357

Plán pro data jednotlivých účastníků (IPD)

Plánujete sdílet data jednotlivých účastníků (IPD)?

NE

Informace o lécích a zařízeních, studijní dokumenty

Studuje lékový produkt regulovaný americkým FDA

Ne

Studuje produkt zařízení regulovaný americkým úřadem FDA

Ne

Tyto informace byly beze změn načteny přímo z webu clinicaltrials.gov. Máte-li jakékoli požadavky na změnu, odstranění nebo aktualizaci podrobností studie, kontaktujte prosím register@clinicaltrials.gov. Jakmile bude změna implementována na clinicaltrials.gov, bude automaticky aktualizována i na našem webu .