Can sonography predict the outcome in patients with achillodynia?
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated whether the grade assigned to the Achilles tendon's appearance on sonograms can be used to predict the outcome of achillodynia.


METHODS
A retrospective evaluation was done of a case series of patients with Achilles tendon pain seen at a sports medicine clinic. The study consisted of chart reviews, telephone follow-up interviews, and grading of ultrasound images of the tendon obtained during the initial visit. The grading scheme was as follows: grade 1, normal tendon; grade 2, enlarged tendon; and grade 3, tendon containing a hypoechoic area, regardless of size. The time needed to recover from symptoms was compared between grades using survival analysis.


RESULTS
The group consisted of 33 patients, with a mean age of 35.8 years and a mean follow-up time of 24.3 months. There was a statistically significant difference in the time to full recovery between grades (p = 0.02). Patients with grade 1 tendons had a prompter resolution of symptoms than did patients with grade 2 or 3 tendons.


CONCLUSIONS
This retrospective study of the outcome of achillodynia demonstrates the possible use of tendon sonography as a prognostic tool to supplement physical examination.
Human Performance Lab, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
J M
JM
Archambault
J P
JP
Wiley
R C
RC
Bray
M
M
Verhoef
D A
DA
Wiseman
P D
PD
Elliott
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D059408:Pain Management; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography