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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

2026年11月2日 更新者：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.

研究概览

地位

尚未招聘

条件

干预/治疗

详细说明

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.

研究类型

观察性的

注册 (估计的)

60

联系人和位置

本节提供了进行研究的人员的详细联系信息，以及有关进行该研究的地点的信息。

学习联系方式

学习地点

  • 比利时
      • Ghent、比利时、9000
        • Department of rehabilitation sciences
        • 接触：

参与标准

研究人员寻找符合特定描述的人，称为资格标准。这些标准的一些例子是一个人的一般健康状况或先前的治疗。

资格标准

适合学习的年龄

18年 至 55年 (成人)

接受健康志愿者

是的

有资格学习的性别

全部

取样方法

非概率样本

研究人群

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.

描述

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

学习计划

本节提供研究计划的详细信息，包括研究的设计方式和研究的衡量标准。

研究是如何设计的？

设计细节

  • 观测模型：CASE_CONTROL
  • 时间观点：CROSS_SECTIONAL

队列和干预

团体/队列
干预/治疗
Healthy controls

Individuals without achilles tendinopathy
诊断测试：Intratendinous pressure measurement

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
诊断测试：Intratendinous pressure measurement

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.

研究衡量的是什么？

主要结果指标

结果测量
措施说明
大体时间
Intratendinous pressure
大体时间：Single measurement at baseline

Intratendinous pressure in the achilles tendon (mm Hg)
Single measurement at baseline

次要结果测量

结果测量
措施说明
大体时间
Patient reported outcome measures
大体时间：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
大体时间：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
大体时间：Recorded at baseline

Collection of demographic and clinical variables including: age in years
Recorded at baseline
Patient characteristics
大体时间：Recorded at baseline

Collection of demographic and clinical variables including: sex (M/V/X)
Recorded at baseline
Patient characteristics
大体时间：Recorded at baseline

Collection of demographic and clinical variables including: height in cm
Recorded at baseline
Patient characteristics
大体时间：Recorded at baseline

Collection of demographic and clinical variables including: weight in kg
Recorded at baseline
Patient characteristics
大体时间：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
大体时间：Recorded at baseline

Collection of demographic and clinical variables including: profession
Recorded at baseline
Patient characteristics
大体时间：Recorded at baseline

Collection of demographic and clinical variables including: physical activity level (using a 6-point likert scale)
Recorded at baseline
Patient characteristics
大体时间：Recorded at baseline

Collection of demographic and clinical variables including: duration of symptoms in weeks
Recorded at baseline
Tendon structure
大体时间：Single measurement at baseline

Assessment of tendon characteristics using ultrasound including: tendon thickness (anteroposterior diameter in cm)
Single measurement at baseline
Tendon structure
大体时间：Single measurement at baseline

Assessment of tendon characteristics using ultrasound including: cross-sectional area (cm²)
Single measurement at baseline
Tendon structure
大体时间：Single measurement at baseline

Assessment of tendon characteristics using ultrasound including: vascularity (color and power doppler signal)
Single measurement at baseline
Tendon structure
大体时间：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
大体时间：Single measurement at baseline

Assessment of tendon characteristics using MRI including: tendon volume (cm²)
Single measurement at baseline
Tendon structure
大体时间：Single measurement at baseline

Assessment of tendon characteristics using MRI including: T2/T2* mapping
Single measurement at baseline
Perfusion pressure
大体时间：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

合作者和调查者

在这里您可以找到参与这项研究的人员和组织。

赞助

University Hospital, Ghent

研究记录日期

这些日期跟踪向 ClinicalTrials.gov 提交研究记录和摘要结果的进度。研究记录和报告的结果由国家医学图书馆 (NLM) 审查，以确保它们在发布到公共网站之前符合特定的质量控制标准。

研究主要日期

学习开始 (估计的)

2026年10月28日

初级完成 (估计的)

2026年12月1日

研究完成 (估计的)

2026年12月1日

研究注册日期

首次提交

2025年11月14日

首先提交符合 QC 标准的

2026年11月2日

首次发布 (实际的)

2026年11月9日

研究记录更新

最后更新发布 (实际的)

2026年11月9日

上次提交的符合 QC 标准的更新

2026年11月2日

最后验证

2026年11月1日

更多信息

与本研究相关的术语

关键字

其他研究编号

  • ONZ-2025-0357

计划个人参与者数据 (IPD)

计划共享个人参与者数据 (IPD)？

不

药物和器械信息、研究文件

研究美国 FDA 监管的药品

不

研究美国 FDA 监管的设备产品

不

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