Finding the best tendon loading to help Achilles tendon heal
Tendon loading profiles that promote healing in Achilles tendinopathy
This project looks at different ways people load their Achilles tendon during rehab and daily life to help those with Achilles tendon pain recover better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251618 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have mid‑substance Achilles tendinopathy, researchers will monitor how your tendon is loaded throughout the day and during rehab exercises using wearable sensors. They will also use ultrasound stress‑imaging to measure tendon condition and biomechanics. By grouping patients with similar loading and tendon properties, the team aims to link those patterns to pain, healing, and function. The goal is to use those findings to tailor rehab programs so more people regain strength and reduce long‑term symptoms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with mid‑substance (non‑insertional) Achilles tendinopathy who can attend clinic visits, undergo ultrasound imaging, and wear activity/pressure sensors during daily activities are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with insertional Achilles problems, recent Achilles tendon rupture/repair, or those unable to follow monitoring or rehab protocols may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to personalized rehab plans that reduce long‑term pain and restore muscle‑tendon function for people with Achilles tendinopathy.
How similar studies have performed: Traditional heel‑rise and eccentric exercise programs help some patients but many continue to have symptoms, and continuous load‑monitoring combined with ultrasound stress imaging is a newer, not yet widely proven approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baxter, Josh — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Baxter, Josh
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.