RCT of Home-based vs Formal Physical Therapy for Treatment of New Onset Non-insertional Achilles Tendinopathy

Launched by BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · Apr 16, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying two different ways to treat a common foot condition called Achilles tendinopathy, which causes pain and tenderness in the Achilles tendon at the back of your ankle. Researchers want to find out whether doing exercises at home is just as effective as going to formal physical therapy sessions for people who are newly diagnosed with this condition. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a home exercise program or formal physical therapy for 12 weeks. They will provide feedback on their progress at several points, including after 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year.

To take part in this trial, you need to be at least 18 years old and have been experiencing symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy, like pain and tenderness in the tendon, for at least 6 weeks. Unfortunately, there are some conditions that would exclude you from participating, such as having certain types of foot pain, previous treatments for Achilles tendinopathy, or other specific medical issues. If you qualify and choose to join, you’ll be contributing to important research that could help improve treatment options for this condition in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Must be 18 years of age
• • Must have a new diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy that has presented with pain, thickening and tenderness at the mid substance of the Achilles tendon
• • Symptoms present for at least 6 weeks
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients with insertional Achilles pain or tenderness or concomitant plantar foot pain
• • Patients who have had prior treatment with home eccentric stretching or physical therapy
• • Patients who have prior diagnosis and treatment for Achilles tendinopathy
• • Patients with history of injection (corticosteroid or sclerosing agents) to the Achilles tendon
• • Patients with inflammatory arthritis
• • Recent fluoroquinolone antibiotics (these agents are known to alter Achilles tendon physiology)
• • Patients who have had prior foot or ankle surgery
• • Individuals that do not speak English
• • Bilateral disease
• • Pregnant women