A comparison of the effects of two, isometric calf muscle exercises on pain in patients with chronic, mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy

Physiotherapy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 113 ◽  
pp. e78-e79
Author(s):  
B. Bradford ◽  
E. Rio ◽  
J. Wells ◽  
M. Khondoker ◽  
Y. Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendinopathy ◽  
Calf Muscle

scholarly journals Tendon Morphology and Mechanical Properties Are Associated With the Recovery of Symptoms and Function in Patients With Achilles Tendinopathy

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 232596712091727
Author(s):  
Patrick Corrigan ◽  
Daniel H. Cortes ◽  
Ryan T. Pohlig ◽  
Karin Grävare Silbernagel
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Shear Modulus ◽  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Achilles Tendinopathy ◽  
Calf Muscle ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Muscle Endurance ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Morphology And Mechanical Properties

Background: Achilles tendinopathy is a debilitating overuse injury characterized by pain, altered Achilles tendon structure, and impaired functional performance. Evaluating tendon structure as part of the physical examination may help establish a well-defined prognosis. However, the usefulness of measuring tendon structure for developing a prognosis has been questioned since structural abnormalities can exist without symptoms. Purpose: To determine whether initial measures of tendon morphology and mechanical properties were associated with patient-reported symptoms and calf muscle endurance at baseline, 6-month follow-up, and 1-year follow-up by prospectively following a cohort of individuals with Achilles tendinopathy. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 59 participants with midportion or insertional Achilles tendinopathy completed an initial assessment and follow-up assessments at 6 months and 1 year. At the initial assessment, patient-reported symptoms, calf muscle endurance, and Achilles tendon thickening were evaluated, and Achilles tendon mechanical properties were estimated. At the 6-month and 1-year follow-up assessments, patient-reported symptoms and calf muscle endurance were reevaluated. Results: Greater Achilles tendon thickening at the initial assessment was consistently associated with worse patient-reported symptoms and calf muscle endurance at each assessment. Changes in symptoms over the year were moderated by the initial shear modulus of the tendon, with a lower shear modulus associated with less improvement in symptoms. Lower viscosity at the initial assessment was also associated with worse calf muscle endurance at each assessment. Conclusion: Measures of tendon morphology and mechanical properties appear to be associated with patient-reported symptoms and calf muscle function for patients with Achilles tendinopathy.

Eccentric calf muscle training in athletic patients with Achilles tendinopathy

2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (20-22) ◽  
pp. 1677-1684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Maffulli ◽  
Gayle Walley ◽  
Murali K. Sayana ◽  
Umile Giuseppe Longo ◽  
Vincenzo Denaro
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendinopathy ◽  
Calf Muscle ◽  
Muscle Training

Effectiveness of acupuncture treatment and eccentric overloading exercises for chronic Achilles tendinopathy- A case study

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganiyu Oluwaleke Shokunbi
Keyword(s):  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Achilles Tendinopathy ◽  
Calf Muscle ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
The Right ◽  
Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy ◽  
Stretching Exercises

AbstractBackground: Much has been written in the scientific literature about the conservative management of Achilles tendinopathy (AT). However, the effects of  acupuncture treatment in combination with eccentric  calf  loading exercises appeared not  to have been extensively researched.Objective:  The objective of this study is to describe the subjective pain and functional improvements of a patient with chronic Achilles tendinopathy following a treatment plan incorporating acupuncture and eccentric calf muscle stretching exercises using a single case studyMethods:  A single case report on a 35 year-old female runner with two months history of right ankle pain, at the back of the heel following a 10km twice weekly to three times a week run. The main findings of the subjective and objective assessments were functional limitation due to pain when running, decrease active and passive range of movements in dorsiflexion and eversion movements in the right ankle and thickening of the right Tendoachilles. The treatment approach consisted of acupuncture with manual stimulation, and eccentric calf training, and ankle stretching exercises. Patient was treated twice weekly for six weeks.  Outcome measures included Verbal pain rating scale (VRS), Active and passive range of motion, Patient specific functional scale and a return to activities of daily living (ADLs). Assessments were carried out at the beginning of treatment, after six week of treatment and at 1 month and 4 month follow up.Results: The outcome of the study showed improvement with pain reduction with a score of 7/10 on VRS in the first week to 0/10 after 4 months follow up.  The results also showed increase in the active and passive range of movements in dorsiflexion and eversion from the first week of treatment (active dorsiflexion= 200, passive dorsiflexion =220, active eversion = 100and passive eversion=150) to full recovery at follow up periods.  Patient was able to run at least 10 km twice a week without pain and standing up to walk from a prolonged sitting position was without pain.Conclusion: The outcome of this study has shown that acupuncture combined with eccentric calf muscle loading may be effective in the management of Achilles tendinopathy.Keywords: Achilles tendinopathy, Acupuncture, Eccentric overloading exercises 

Immediate Effects of two Isometric Calf Muscle Exercises on Mid-portion Achilles Tendon Pain

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Bradford ◽  
Ebonie Rio ◽  
Myles Murphy ◽  
Jacob Wells ◽  
Mizanur Khondoker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Achilles Tendinopathy ◽  
Calf Muscle ◽  
Load Test ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Functional Load ◽  
Numeric Pain Rating Scale

AbstractThe objectives of this randomized, cross-over pilot study were to determine whether isometric plantarflexion exercises resulted in an immediate change in Achilles tendon pain during a loading task, and whether this differed in knee extension or flexion. Eleven participants with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy were recruited from NHS community physiotherapy services and local running clubs. Participants were then randomized to complete an isometric calf muscle exercise with the knee fully extended or flexed to 80°. Participants switched to the alternate exercise after a minimum seven-day period. Achilles tendon pain during a specific, functional load test was measured on a 11-point numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) pre- and post-intervention. There was a small, immediate, mean reduction in pain following isometric plantar flexion performed in both knee extension (1.6, 95%CI 0.83 to 2.45, p=0.001) and knee flexion (1.3, 95%CI 0.31 to 2.19, p=0.015). There were no significant differences between the two positions. A non-significant, potentially clinically relevant finding was a 20% larger reduction in symptoms in knee extension versus flexion (p=0.110). In conclusion, isometric plantarflexion holds gave an approximately 50% immediate reduction in Achilles tendon pain with a functional load test. There were no significant differences between the two positions and both were well tolerated.

scholarly journals Efficacy of heel lifts versus calf muscle eccentric exercise for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (HEALTHY): a randomised trial

2020 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2019-101776
Author(s):  
Chantel L Rabusin ◽  
Hylton B Menz ◽  
Jodie A McClelland ◽  
Angela M Evans ◽  
Peter Malliaras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eccentric Exercise ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Achilles Tendinopathy ◽  
Calf Muscle ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Minimum Important Difference ◽  
Intention To Treat ◽  
Superiority Trial

Objective(s)To compare the efficacy of in-shoe heel lifts to calf muscle eccentric exercise in reducing pain and improving function in mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy.MethodsThis was a parallel-group randomised superiority trial at a single centre (La Trobe University Health Sciences Clinic, Discipline of Podiatry, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia). One hundred participants (52 women and 48 men, mean age 45.9, SD 9.4 years) with clinically diagnosed and ultrasonographically confirmed mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy were randomly allocated to either a (1) heel lifts (n=50) or (2) eccentric exercise (n=50) group. The primary outcome measure was the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire at 12 weeks. Differences between groups were analysed using intention to treat with analysis of covariance.ResultsThere was 80% follow-up of participants (n=40 per group) at 12 weeks. The mean VISA-A score improved by 26.0 points (95% CI 19.6 to 32.4) in the heel lifts group and by 17.4 points (95% CI 9.5 to 25.3) in the eccentric exercise group. On average, there was a between-group difference in favour of the heel lifts for the VISA-A (adjusted mean difference 9.6, 95% CI 1.8 to 17.4, p=0.016), which approximated, but did not meet our predetermined minimum important difference of 10 points.ConclusionIn adults with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy, heel lifts were more effective than calf muscle eccentric exercise in reducing pain and improving function at 12 weeks. However, there is uncertainty in the estimate of effect for this outcome and patients may not experience a clinically worthwhile difference between interventions.Trial registration numberACTRN12617001225303.

Electromyographic analysis of an eccentric calf muscle exercise in persons with and without Achilles tendinopathy

2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 150-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan Reid ◽  
Peter J. McNair ◽  
Shelley Johnson ◽  
Geoff Potts ◽  
Erik Witvrouw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendinopathy ◽  
Calf Muscle ◽  
Muscle Exercise ◽  
Electromyographic Analysis
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