Neovascularization and pain in abnormal patellar tendons of active jumping athletes.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate tendon pain in abnormal patellar tendons with and without neovascularization.


METHODS
Comparative design.


METHODS
Multidisciplinary tendon study group at a competitive volleyball venue.


METHODS
One hundred eleven volleyball players volunteered to participate in the study.


METHODS
Subjects' patellar tendons were imaged with ultrasound, with and without Doppler. Tendons that were imaging abnormal were categorized according the presence of tendon neovascularization. Subjects completed 3 pain scales that examined function (Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment score, 100-point maximum), pain with tendon load (decline squat, visual analogue scale, 100-mm maximum), and maximum pain for the previous week (visual analogue scale, 100-mm maximum). A 1-tailed Mann-Whitney U test compared pain scores in abnormal tendons without neovascularization to abnormal tendons with neovascularization.


RESULTS
Functional scores were lower (Victorian Institute of Sport score, median, 78; P = 0.045) and pain scores under tendon load were greater (decline squat pain, median, 19; P = 0.048) in subjects with abnormal tendons with neovascularization than subjects with abnormal tendons without neovascularization (Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment score, median, 87; decline squat pain, median, 0).


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that the presence of neovascularization in abnormal patellar tendons is associated with greater tendon pain compared with abnormal tendons without neovascularization in active jumping athletes.
Cook
Jill L
JL
Musculoskeletal Research Centre, School of Physiotherapy, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia. J.Cook@latrobe.edu.au
Malliaras
Peter
P
De Luca
Jason
J
Ptasznik
Ronald
R
Morris
Meg E
ME
Goldie
Patricia
P
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010329:Patella; D012016:Reference Values; D013710:Tendons / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography