Topical polidocanol application in combination with static stretching in tendinopathies: A prospective pilot study

Gatz M, Schrading S, Dirrichs T, Tingart M, Rath B, Kuhl C, Quack V, Betsch M (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Muscle, Ligaments and Tendons Journal Italian Society of Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons

Book Volume: 8

Pages Range: 88-97

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.32098/MLTJ.01.2017.12

Abstract

Background: Highly operator-based injection therapy with vasosclerosing and anesthetic polidocanol is used for tendinopathies. This pilot-study evalu-ates the topical application of polidocanol gel. Methods: Prospective case series. 39 patients with tendinopathies (14 Achilles, 14 patella, 11 wrist extensors) with a symptom duration > 6 months were included. Polidocanol and static stretching were the therapy in the first 2 weeks, while static stretching was continuously performed for 6 months. Clinical outcome was evalu-ated with VISA-A, VISA-P and DASH Scores and sonographically with B-Mode (B-Mode), Power Doppler (PD) and Shearwave Elastography (SWE). Results: 22 patients clinically improved (>+10 score points), 11 patients were without improvement (<+ 10) and 1 patient worsened during 6 months. The VISA-A Score increased in average 19 points from 56 to 75 (p< 0.01), VISA-P Score increased 13 points from 59 to 72 (p< 0,01) and the DASH-Score decreased 20 points from 40 to 20 (p< 0,01). SWE correlates better than B-Mode or PD with symptom improvement. Conclusion: The combination of static training and topical polidocanol application seems to be successful in the treatment of tendinopathies. Further RCT studies need to evaluate the efficien-cy of topical polidocanol application. SWE is a more sensitive tool to describe symptom development than PD or B-Mode. Level of evidence: IV.

Authors with CRIS profile

Marcel Betsch

Involved external institutions

Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Aachen (UKA) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Gatz, M., Schrading, S., Dirrichs, T., Tingart, M., Rath, B., Kuhl, C.,... Betsch, M. (2019). Topical polidocanol application in combination with static stretching in tendinopathies: A prospective pilot study. Muscle, Ligaments and Tendons Journal, 8(1), 88-97. https://dx.doi.org/10.32098/MLTJ.01.2017.12

MLA:

Gatz, Matthias, et al. "Topical polidocanol application in combination with static stretching in tendinopathies: A prospective pilot study." Muscle, Ligaments and Tendons Journal 8.1 (2019): 88-97.

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