Home
Detailpagina
Impact, diagnostic imaging and prognosis of Achilles tendinopathy
T. (Tjerk) Sleeswijk Visser
Erasmus University Rotterdam, 2024
This thesis emphasizes key clinical insights for managing Achilles tendinopathy (AT), highlighting the importance of standardized outcome measures, personalized rehabilitation, and socioeconomic considerations in treatment. It advocates for the use of a core outcome set (COS-AT) in future clinical trials, which includes the VISA-A questionnaire, single-leg heel rise test, and pain assessments via VAS scales. The single-leg heel rise test, influenced by patient characteristics, should be personalized for optimized rehabilitation. The thesis also shows the significant impact of AT on quality of life, particularly in mobility, pain, and daily activities, with estimated annual costs of €840 per patient, stressing the need for improved treatment and prevention strategies.
In terms of diagnostic imaging, the thesis confirms that ultrasonography (UTC) is a reliable method for assessing Achilles tendon thickness, though measurements at the tendon insertion are less reliable. Tendon thickness is influenced by personal characteristics as age and height, and established normative values can aid clinicians in distinguishing between normal variation and pathological changes. Notably, not all patients with clinical signs of AT show tendon thickening. Lastly, the thesis suggests that clinicians should consider the socioeconomic status of patients, as it may influence treatment outcomes.
Deel dit bericht via: