Using Shear Wave Elastography to Assess Tendon Health
Assessing the Efficacy of the Treatment of Tendinopathy With Shear Wave Elastography
This study is testing if a special imaging technique can help us understand tendon health better in people with chronic tendon pain compared to those without pain, and see how well their tendons heal after treatment.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 150 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Emory University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Atlanta, Georgia) |
| Trial ID | NCT03456778 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to utilize Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) to evaluate the viscoelastic properties of tendons in individuals with chronic tendinopathy compared to asymptomatic individuals. The first phase will establish differences in tendon characteristics between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, while the second phase will monitor tendon healing following standard treatments using ultrasound elastography imaging. The study focuses on common tendon sites such as the Achilles, patellar, quadriceps, epicondylar, and rotator cuff.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals with chronic tendinopathy symptoms lasting over six months and asymptomatic volunteers with lower extremity pain.
Not a fit: Patients with a history of tendon surgery, systemic diseases, or those currently pregnant may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved diagnostic and treatment strategies for patients suffering from tendinopathy.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of elastography in tendon assessment is gaining traction, this specific approach is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for Asymptomatic Volunteers: * Patients presenting at the study location with lower extremity pain without tendon involvement Inclusion Criteria for Symptomatic Volunteers: * Patients presenting at the study location with a clinical diagnosis of tenalgia * Diagnosis of tendinopathy confirmed by ultrasound Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * History of tendinopathy or surgery and morphologic abnormalities * History of systemic, metabolic, endocrine diseases, or psoriasis * History of treatment with corticosteroids, estrogens, long term quinolone antibiotics, and cholesterol drugs
Where this trial is running
Atlanta, Georgia
- Emory Orthopaedics and Spine Center — Atlanta, Georgia, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: David Reiter, PhD — Emory University
- Study coordinator: David Reiter, PhD
- Email: dareite@emory.edu
- Phone: 404-778-6098
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.