Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkit: Section C - Summary of Evidence and Recommendations for Interventions
Purpose, Scope and Disclaimer: The purpose of this document is to provide physical therapists with a summary of the evidence for interventions commonly used to manage mid‐substance Achilles tendinopathy. This decision‐making tool is evidence‐informed and where there is insufficient evidence, expert‐informed. It is not intended to replace the clinician’s clinical reasoning skills and inter‐professional collaboration. ‘Acute’ refers primarily to the stage with the cardinal signs of heat, redness, pain, swelling and loss of function and a very recent onset of symptoms.
Achilles Tendinopathy (mid-substance):
Summary of the Evidence for Physical Therapy Interventions
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Manual Therapy
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Joint mobs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stage of pathology | Acute | Chronic |
| Clinical research evidence | No | Yes |
| Published expert opinion | Yes | Yes |
| Take home message | There is no clinical evidence but there is expert level consensus to support | There is a small amount of clinical evidence and more substantial expert level consensus to support the use of joint mobilizations in the chronic stage if assessment reveals joint restriction. |
| Clinical implication | May consider using manual therapy in the acute stage after undertaking a comprehensive biomechanical evaluation of the ‐ Joint mobs hip, knee, foot and ankle. | May consider using manual therapy in the chronic stage after undertaking a comprehensive biomechanical evaluation of the hip, knee, foot and ankle. |
|
Soft-tissue techniques | ||
| Stage of pathology | Acute | Chronic |
| Clinical research evidence | No | Yes 1 SR 2 CS |
| Published expert opinion | No | Yes |
| Take home message | The clinical evidence neither supports nor refutes the use of frictions in the acute stage. |
There is a small amount of clinical evidence to <u>support the use of soft tissue techniques, such as frictions, in the chronic stage. |
| May consider using manual therapy in the acute stage after undertaking a comprehensive biomechanical evaluation of the ‐ Joint mobs hip, knee, foot and ankle. | May consider a trial of soft tissue techniques, such as frictions, in the chronic stage. | |
CS ‐ Case studies; SR ‐ Systematic reviews.
Exercise[edit | edit source]
| Stage of pathology | Acute | Chronic |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical research evidence | No | Yes 14 OS 6 SR 5 RCT |
| Published expert opinion | Yes | Yes |
| Take home message | There is a small amount of expert opinion to support the use of stretches in the acute stage. | There is a large amount of clinical evidence to support the use of exercise in the chronic stage but the precise parameters to ensure effectiveness are not clear. Eccentric exercise in particular is supported although some protocols use both concentric and eccentric exercise. Males appear to benefit slightly more than females from eccentric exercise. |
| Clinical implication | May consider using stretching exercises in acute stage. No prescription parameters are provided. ACSM recommends 10-30 sec hold, 2‐4 repetitions. | Strongly consider using eccentric exercise in the chronic stage using the following general parameters of a gradual progression to 3 sets of 15 repetitions, twice per day with the knee extended and with the knee flexed.
|
OS ‐ Observational studies; RCT ‐ Randomized controlled trials; SR ‐ Systematic reviews.
Low level laser therapy (LLLT)[edit | edit source]
| Stage of pathology | Acute | Chronic |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical research evidence | Yes 2 SR |
Yes 1 MA 5 RCT |
| Published expert opinion | Yes | Yes |
| Take home message | There is no clinical evidence, but there is a physiological rationale, to support the use of LLLT in the acute stage. |
There is conflicting clinical evidence and conflicting expert opinion to support the use of LLLT in the chronic stage. |
| Clinical implication | May consider a trial of LLLT in the acute stage at the doses recommended by the World Association for Laser Therapy (www.walt.nu) i.e., 2‐4 J/point (not per cm2)*, minimum 2‐3 points. *See Appendix Bfor further details on calculation of dosage. |
Consider a trial of LLLT in the chronic stage at the following parameters: 0.9 J/point (not per cm2)*; 6 points on tendon. *See Appendix Bfor further details on calculation of dosage. |
MA ‐ Meta‐analyses; RCT ‐ Randomized controlled trials; SR ‐ Systematic reviews.
Ultrasound (US)[edit | edit source]
CS ‐ Case studies; MA ‐ Meta‐analyses; OS ‐ Observational studies; RCT ‐ Randomized controlled trials; SR ‐ Systematic reviews
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (SWT)[edit | edit source]
CS ‐ Case studies; MA ‐ Meta‐analyses; OS ‐ Observational studies; RCT ‐ Randomized controlled trials; SR ‐ Systematic reviews
Iontophoresis using dexamethasone[edit | edit source]
CS ‐ Case studies; MA ‐ Meta‐analyses; OS ‐ Observational studies; RCT ‐ Randomized controlled trials; SR ‐ Systematic reviews
Taping[edit | edit source]
CS ‐ Case studies; MA ‐ Meta‐analyses; OS ‐ Observational studies; RCT ‐ Randomized controlled trials; SR ‐ Systematic reviews
Orthotics[edit | edit source]
CS ‐ Case studies; MA ‐ Meta‐analyses; OS ‐ Observational studies; RCT ‐ Randomized controlled trials; SR ‐ Systematic reviews
Night splints and braces[edit | edit source]
CS ‐ Case studies; MA ‐ Meta‐analyses; OS ‐ Observational studies; RCT ‐ Randomized controlled trials; SR ‐ Systematic reviews
Heel raise inserts[edit | edit source]
CS ‐ Case studies; MA ‐ Meta‐analyses; OS ‐ Observational studies; RCT ‐ Randomized controlled trials; SR ‐ Systematic reviews
Needling techniques[edit | edit source]
Acupuncture (trasitional Chinese medicine, anatomical, electrical) and intramuscular stimulation.
CS ‐ Case studies; MA ‐ Meta‐analyses; OS ‐ Observational studies; RCT ‐ Randomized controlled trials; SR ‐ Systematic reviews
Outcome measures[edit | edit source]
For any intervention selected by the clinician, it is strongly recommended that the clinician use one or more of the following outcome measures:
A. Patient reported outcome measure[edit | edit source]
Such as:
- A global measure of lower extremity function: e.g., The Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) ‐ not specific to Achilles tendinopathy
- Available at: http://www.physther.net/content/79/4/371/F1.large.jpg
- Detailed questionnaire, specific to Achilles tendinopathy e.g. the VISA‐A questionnaire
- Available at: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/suppl/2001/11/09/35.5.335.DC1/01055_Fig_1_data_supplement.pdf
- Click on ‘view questionnaire’
B. Patient specific functional outcome measure such as:[edit | edit source]
- How much weight can be applied to the plantar flexed foot on a weighing scale before the onset of pain
- The number of heel raises before the onset of pain
- The number of heel drops before the onset of pain
- The number of heel drops with a specific weight in a backpack before the onset of pain
- How far can the client walk or run before the onset of pain
Explanation of clinical implications[edit | edit source]
- Strongly consider: High level/high quality evidence that this should be included in treatment.
- Consider: Consistent lower level/lower quality or inconsistent evidence that this should be included in treatment.
- May consider: No clinical evidence but expert opinion and/or plausible physiological rationale that this should be included in treatment.
- Consider NOT: High level/high quality evidence that this should not be included in treatment.
References[edit | edit source]
References will automatically be added here, see adding references tutorial.
Acknowledgements[edit | edit source]
Developed by the BC Physical Therapy Tendinopathy Task Force: Dr. Joseph Anthony, Allison Ezzat, Diana Hughes, JR Justesen, Dr. Alex Scott, Michael Yates, Alison Hoens.
A Physical Therapy Knowledge Broker project supported by: UBC Department of Physical Therapy, Physiotherapy Association of BC, Vancouver Coastal Research Institute and Providence Healthcare Research Institute.
