TY - JOUR

T1 - Relationships between tendon structure and clinical impairments in patients with patellar tendinopathy

AU - Sprague, Andrew L.

AU - Couppé, Christian

AU - Pohlig, Ryan T.

AU - Cortes, Daniel C.

AU - Silbernagel, Karin Grävare

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - The clinical relevance of altered tendon structure in patellar tendinopathy is contested since structural change persists after symptom resolution. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between tendon structure and clinical impairments in patellar tendinopathy. In this retrospective, secondary analysis of individuals with patellar tendinopathy (n = 41), tendon structure (thickness, cross-sectional area [CSA], shear modulus, and viscosity), symptom severity, lower extremity function (counter-movement jump [CMJ] height), and quadriceps muscle performance (knee extension force and central activation ratio [CAR]) were recorded for the symptomatic limb. Relationships among structure, symptom severity, lower extremity function, and quadriceps muscle performance were examined using sequential regression models. Adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and pain levels, there were significant positive relationships for thickness (p < 0.001, β = 0.718) and viscosity (p = 0.006, β = 0.496) with CMJ height. There were significant negative relationships between CSA with both CMJ height (p = 0.001, β = −0.538) and CAR (p = 0.04, β = −0.517). This is the first study to demonstrate relationships between tendon structure and lower extremity function or quadriceps muscle performance in patients with patellar tendinopathy. Clinical significance: Since structural changes persist after symptom resolution, addressing these changes may assist in restoring lower extremity function and quadriceps muscle performance.

AB - The clinical relevance of altered tendon structure in patellar tendinopathy is contested since structural change persists after symptom resolution. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between tendon structure and clinical impairments in patellar tendinopathy. In this retrospective, secondary analysis of individuals with patellar tendinopathy (n = 41), tendon structure (thickness, cross-sectional area [CSA], shear modulus, and viscosity), symptom severity, lower extremity function (counter-movement jump [CMJ] height), and quadriceps muscle performance (knee extension force and central activation ratio [CAR]) were recorded for the symptomatic limb. Relationships among structure, symptom severity, lower extremity function, and quadriceps muscle performance were examined using sequential regression models. Adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and pain levels, there were significant positive relationships for thickness (p < 0.001, β = 0.718) and viscosity (p = 0.006, β = 0.496) with CMJ height. There were significant negative relationships between CSA with both CMJ height (p = 0.001, β = −0.538) and CAR (p = 0.04, β = −0.517). This is the first study to demonstrate relationships between tendon structure and lower extremity function or quadriceps muscle performance in patients with patellar tendinopathy. Clinical significance: Since structural changes persist after symptom resolution, addressing these changes may assist in restoring lower extremity function and quadriceps muscle performance.

KW - jumper's knee

KW - mechanical properties

KW - morphology

KW - patellar tendinopathy

KW - ultrasound elastography

U2 - 10.1002/jor.25262

DO - 10.1002/jor.25262

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 34996130

AN - SCOPUS:85122725814

VL - 40

SP - 2320

EP - 2329

JO - Journal of Orthopaedic Research

JF - Journal of Orthopaedic Research

SN - 0736-0266

IS - 10

ER -