Comparison of two exercise protocols for insertional Achilles tedinopathy rehabilitation

Ratinale:

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a common injury that normally affects physically active people and the incidence increases with age. Several studies have shown the efficacy of the eccentric exercises protocol as treatment in patients diagnosed with mid-portion AT. However, few studies assessed the effect of eccentric exercise in patients with insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) and results are inconclusive.



Objectives:

The primary objective of this pilot study is to determine the effect of an isometric exercises plus eccentric-concentric exercise protocol compared to the usual care eccentric exercise protocol on Achilles tendon pain and structure in subjects diagnosed with IAT.



Study design:

Single blinded, pilot study using a 2 group design with a treatment period of 12 weeks.



Study population:

Patients diagnosed with insertional Achilles tendinopathy



Intervention:

One group will perform eccentric exercise during 12 weeks, the other group will perform isometric exercise during 4 weeks and after concentric-eccentric exercise during 8 weeks.



Main study parameters/endpoints:

Pain during calf-raise test

Exercise leads to pain and funcional improvement in patients diagnosed with insertional Achilles tendinopathy

- pretreatment (Baseline)

- 4 weeks after baseline

- 8 weeks after baseline

- 12 weeks after baseline

Eccentric exercise and Isometric exercise plus concentric exercise