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

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  • Andrew L. Sprague
  • Couppé, Christian
  • Ryan T. Pohlig
  • Daniel C. Cortes
  • Karin Grävare Silbernagel

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.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Orthopaedic Research
Volume40
Issue number10
Pages (from-to)2320-2329
Number of pages10
ISSN0736-0266
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

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

    Research areas

  • jumper's knee, mechanical properties, morphology, patellar tendinopathy, ultrasound elastography

ID: 321650895