Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Scott K. Crawford, Darryl Thelen, Janice M. Yakey, Bryan C. Heiderscheit, John J. Wilson, Kenneth S. Lee
Summary: In patients with Achilles tendinopathy, traditional sonographic measures showed increased tendon thickness, hyperemia, and hypoechogenicity in the symptomatic tendon compared to the contralateral side. However, lower shear wave speed (SWS) was observed only in the free tendon, indicating localized alterations in tendon elasticity associated with Achilles tendinopathy.
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
C. M. Waugh, A. Scott
Summary: During walking, increased stiffness in the Achilles tendon did not affect its function. While stiffness did not change with training, other parameters also showed no significant differences, which may help explain previous mixed intervention results and guide future investigations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pawel Szaro, Khaldun Ghali Gataa
Summary: This comparative study revealed that tendinopathy alters correlations between dimensions of the Achilles tendon, with significant differences in thickness and midportion width. Tendinopathy also showed positive correlations between certain dimensions that were negative in normal tendons, highlighting significant differences in dimensions correlations between healthy and tendinopathic tendons.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Orthopedics
Christian Couppe, Simon Dossing, Per Martin Bulow, Volkert Dirk Siersma, Camilla Kampp Zilmer, Christine Winther Bang, Rikke Hoffner, Mathilde Kracht, Paul Hogg, Gabriella Edstrom, Michael Kjaer, Stig Peter Magnusson
Summary: 12 weeks of HSR combined with either CSI, TN, or PN had similar effects on both primary and secondary outcomes in patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy. However, in the long term, CSI seemed to impair patient-reported outcomes compared to HSR alone.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Sport Sciences
Chia-Han Yeh, James D. Calder, Jarrod Antflick, Anthony M. J. Bull, Angela E. Kedgley
Summary: This study investigated the effects of eccentric loading exercises (ECC) and heavy slow resistance loading (HSR) on Achilles tendon force, finding that external load and maximum dorsiflexion angle are significant predictors of peak AT force. Standing position may be more effective for the same external load due to the rate at which peak dorsiflexion angle affects AT force being twice as high compared to seated position.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Runa Kinitz, Estelle Heyne, Lauren G. Koch, Steven L. Britton, Manuela Thierbach, Britt Wildemann
Summary: Old age, adiposity, and metabolic disorders are risk factors for chronic tendinopathy, and aging seems to play a prominent role in molecular and structural alterations of Achilles tendon tissue.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Daniel Sullivan, Allison Pabich, Ryan Enslow, Avery Roe, Donald Borchert, Keenan Barr, Bailey Cook, Amanda Brooks
Summary: EOAT often presents with pain and swelling around the Achilles Tendon, is more common in men, and may demonstrate specific molecular signaling patterns. Although there is no standard treatment regimen, conservative management for six months is recommended for patients without complications. Further research is needed to determine the best course of clinical treatment for EOAT injuries.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wesley Matthews, Richard Ellis, James Furness, Wayne A. Hing
Summary: There is significant variation in the methodology and outcome measures used to diagnose Achilles tendinopathy. Subjective measures include self-reported location of pain and pain with tendon loading activities, while objective measures consist of tendon palpation and tendon pain during loading activities. The VISA-A questionnaire is commonly used as an outcome measure for monitoring Achilles tendinopathy.
Article
Sport Sciences
Lauren Pringels, Luc Vanden Bossche, Evi Wezenbeek, Arne Burssens, Hannes Vermue, Jan Victor, Amelie Chevalier
Summary: Mechanical overload is the main cause of Achilles tendinopathy, and compressive loads may also contribute to the pathophysiology. However, data on intratendinous pressures is lacking. This study found that intratendinous pressure increased during stretching and eccentric loading, with the highest pressures in the deep insertion region and during the eccentric heel-drop. These findings suggest that compression plays a role in Achilles tendinopathy and further investigation is needed to explore its management in patients.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Xin Wang, Kui Xu, Eryang Zhang, Qian Bai, Baoan Ma, ChenGuang Zhao, Kailiang Zhang, Tao Liu, Zhouyong Ma, Hui Zeng, Yong Zhou, Zhao Li
Summary: IRE enhanced tendon tissue healing and blood supply, potentially reducing neuropathic pain, in a rat model of collagenase-induced Achilles tendinopathy.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Bas Habets, Robert E. H. van Cingel, Frank J. G. Backx, Hilco J. van Elten, Peter Zuithoff, Bionka M. A. Huisstede
Summary: In the treatment of midportion Achilles tendinopathy, the Alfredson and Silbernagel loading programs showed no significant differences in clinical effects at 1-year follow-up, both leading to significant improvements in symptoms. Therefore, offering either program as a home-based training with limited supervision appears to be an effective treatment strategy.
ORTHOPAEDIC JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Goran Radovanovic, Sebastian Bohm, Adamantios Arampatzis, Kirsten Legerlotz
Summary: The study found that patients with Achilles tendinopathy have asymmetries in mechanical, material, and morphological musculoskeletal properties and function. Therapeutic exercise interventions have little effect on these asymmetries, and reducing asymmetry does not necessarily improve tendon health.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Isabelle Scott, Peter Malliaras, Alex Tardioli, Sarah Hales, Dylan Morrissey, Filippo Migliorini, Nicola Maffulli
Summary: This study evaluated the immediate effect of running a marathon on Achilles tendon anteroposterior thickness. The results showed that running a marathon resulted in an immediate decrease in the anteroposterior diameter of the Achilles tendon, without changing the proportion of structural abnormalities or pain.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY AND RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lorenzo Masci, Bradley Stephen Neal, William Wynter Bee, Christoph Spang, Hakan Alfredson
Summary: Treatment with Achilles scraping and plantaris excision showed improved pain, function, and tendon structure at 24 months postoperatively. Patients reported high satisfaction with the procedure and 14 returned to pre-injury activity levels.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kipling Squier, Alexander Scott, Michael A. Hunt, Liam R. Brunham, David R. Wilson, Hazel Screen, Charlie M. Waugh
Summary: The study found that individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia had lower Achilles stiffness compared to controls, which seemed to be linked to Achilles loading rate rather than an increased strain. This suggests that individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia may use different Achilles loading strategies. Additionally, participants with familial hypercholesterolemia also demonstrated significantly greater Achilles hysteresis than the control group, indicating that walking may require a greater metabolic cost for these individuals.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Henrique Mansur, Joao Luiz Quagliotti Durigan, Marcos de Noronha, Michael Kjaer, S. Peter Magnusson, Bruno Abdo Santana de Araujo, Rita de Cassia Marqueti
Summary: Increasing age affects morphologic changes in major tendons, but its effects on the cross-sectional area (CSA) of different ankle tendons are less understood. This study found significant differences in CSA among age groups and along different tendon regions. However, there were no differences in tendon CSA between sexes.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Jens Rithamer Jakobsen, Abigail Louise Mackey, Manuel Koch, Thomas Imhof, Jens Hannibal, Michael Kjaer, Michael Rindom Krogsgaard
Summary: The myotendinous junction (MTJ) is structurally specialized to transmit force. Muscles with a high content of type II muscle fibers are more prone to strain injury compared to those with type I muscle fibers. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that the surface area of the MTJ is smaller in type II muscle fibers compared to type I fibers. This suggests that type II muscle fibers have lower resistance to strain and are therefore more susceptible to injury.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Allan Cramer, Grith Hojfeldt, Peter Schjerling, Jakob Agergaard, Gerrit van Hall, Jesper Olsen, Per Holmich, Michael Kjaer, Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the turnover of tendon tissue before and after an Achilles tendon rupture. The results showed that there was already increased turnover of tendon tissue before the rupture, and the synthesis rate of collagen remained relatively constant in the first two weeks after the rupture. This suggests that the formation of new tendon tissue is not an immediate process during the regeneration of ruptured tendons in patients.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Rudi Hansen, Christoffer Brushoj, Michael Skovdal Rathleff, S. Peter Magnusson, Marius Henriksen
Summary: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two 12-week exercise programs targeting either the quadriceps or the hip muscles in patients with patellofemoral pain. The results showed that both exercise programs were equally effective in improving symptoms and function for these patients.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Naiara Demnitz, Anne T. Gates, Erik L. Mortensen, Ellen Garde, Cathrine L. Wimmelmann, Hartwig R. Siebner, Michael Kjaer, Carl-Johan Boraxbekk
Summary: Understanding individual variability in response to physical activity is crucial for developing more effective and personalized interventions for healthy aging. This study used longitudinal data from a randomized-controlled trial to investigate individual differences in a 12-month muscle strengthening intervention for older adults. Results showed significant differences in baseline physical function, sex, and depressive symptoms between trajectory groups. Improvers and decliners also exhibited significant grey matter differences in specific brain regions.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Ching-Yan Chloe Yeung, Annesofie T. Olesen, Richard Wilson, Shireen R. Lamande, John F. Bateman, Rene B. Svensson, S. Peter Magnusson, Michael Kjaer
Summary: Both aging and physical activity can affect the amount of intramuscular connective tissue in skeletal muscle. This study investigated the impact on specific extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and found that aging is associated with an increased abundance of these proteins. However, regular physical activity did not alter the ECM protein levels. These findings indicate that age-related changes in the intramuscular ECM solubility can occur, but physical training does not have the same effect.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Rikke Hoeffner, Rene B. Svensson, Franciele Dietrich-Zagonel, Daniel Schefte, Michael Kjaer, Pernilla Eliasson, S. Peter Magnusson
Summary: Permanent loss of muscle function after Achilles tendon rupture may be due to tendon elongation and accompanying muscle shortening. In rats, Achilles tendon transection resulted in increased tendon length, decreased muscle mass and length, and reduced serial sarcomere number, regardless of suturing. These changes led to an overshoot lengthening of the sarcomeres.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Anders Karlsen, Ching-Yan Chloe Yeung, Peter Schjerling, Linda Denz, Christian Hoegsbjerg, Jens R. Jakobsen, Michael R. Krogsgaard, Manuel Koch, Stefano Schiaffino, Michael Kjaer, Abigail L. Mackey
Summary: Through single-nucleus RNA sequencing, we identified distinct clusters of myonuclei in the myotendinous junction (MTJ) of humans, characterized by different gene expression profiles and fiber types, which has important implications for understanding the specialization of the MTJ.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Anne-Sofie Agergaard, Jonathan D. Comins, Volkert Siersma, Nikolaj M. Malmgaard-Clausen, Christian Couppe, Mikkel H. Hjortshoej, Jens L. Olesen, S. Peter Magnusson
Summary: The current study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-patellar tendinopathy (VISA-P) questionnaire. The results showed that the VISA-P did not fit a unidimensional model, yielded at best a 3-factor model, and exhibited differential item functioning (DIF) across healthy subjects versus people with patellar tendinopathy. Therefore, a new PROM for patellar tendinopathy should be developed and appropriately validated.
TRANSLATIONAL SPORTS MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Physiology
M. H. Hjortshoej, P. Aagaard, C. D. Storgaard, H. Juneja, J. Lundbye-Jensen, S. P. Magnusson, C. Couppe
Summary: This study evaluated the hormonal, immune, and oxidative stress responses in healthy adults following low-load blood-flow restricted resistance exercise (LL-BFRRE) and conventional free-flow resistance exercise (FFRE). The results showed that LL-BFRRE induced higher hormone and immune responses compared to FFRE, and had attenuated oxidative stress responses compared to HL-FFRE.
Article
Sport Sciences
Louise B. Nielsen, Rene B. Svensson, Niels U. Fredskild, Kenneth H. Mertz, S. Peter Magnusson, Michael Kjaer, Monika L. Bayer
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a muscle strain injury in the gastrocnemius muscle on muscle fascicle length, pennation angle, and the morphology of the deep aponeurosis at rest and during muscle contraction. Electromyography (EMG) was also used to measure muscle activity during a unilateral heel rise.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS
(2023)
Review
Rheumatology
Lindsay A. N. Crowe, Moeed Akbar, Robert-Jan de Vos, Paul Kirwan, Michael Kjaer, Carles Pedret, Iain B. McInnes, Stefan Siebert, Neal L. Millar
Summary: Tendinopathy and enthesitis have clinical, anatomical, and molecular similarities, but their complex relationship poses challenges in diagnosis and treatment. The biomechanics and immune/stromal contributions to pathology play crucial roles in both conditions. However, divergent methodologies in studying these two conditions may lead to discrepancies in perception and treatment. This review summarizes the clinical parallels and addresses the factors that hinder the development of more effective therapeutics, as well as the molecular similarities and disparities that govern pathological mechanisms in tendinopathy and enthesitis.
LANCET RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)