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Assessing Tendons with Shear Wave Elastography for Tendinopathy

This study uses a special ultrasound technique called Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) to look at how tendons work and heal. Researchers want to understand the differences between healthy tendons and those affected by tendinopathy (a condition causing tendon pain). They will also track how well tendons heal after standard treatments. The study aims to measure changes in tendon properties and pain levels over time. You might be able to join if you are between 18 and 65 years old and have lower leg pain without tendon issues (asymptomatic volunteers) or have been diagnosed with tendinopathy (symptomatic volunteers). The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status.

Study design
This is an observational study, meaning researchers will watch and record information without giving new treatments. It plans to include 150 participants.
What's involved
You would have a 20-minute Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) examination in an ultrasound room. Follow-up measurements for tendon healing and pain scores would occur at various times up to 12 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for changes in tendon healing and pain scores at Month 3, Month 6, Month 9, and Month 12.

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NCT03456778

Assessing the Tendons With Shear Wave Elastography

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 18–65Observational
Emory University
~150 participants
Updated 2025-08-14 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Shear Wave Elastography

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Viscoelastic Tendon Property
Measured over Baseline
+5 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Tendinopathy

Explore related trials

Tendinopathy

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Georgia1

Study leadership

  • David Reiter, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Emory University

Who to contact

David Reiter, PhD
[email protected]
404-778-6098
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Patients presenting at the study location with lower extremity pain without tendon involvement
Patients presenting at the study location with a clinical diagnosis of tenalgia
Diagnosis of tendinopathy confirmed by ultrasound

Exclusion

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

What this trial measures

  • Viscoelastic Tendon PropertyBaseline

    Shear wave elastography imaging will be used to establish baseline measurements of viscoelastic properties of tendons, such as the Achilles, patellar, quadriceps, epicondylar, and rotator cuff, among asymptomatic and symptomatic patients.

  • Change in Tendon HealingBaseline, Month 3, Month 6, Month 12

    The degree of tendon healing among symptomatic patients receiving standard of care treatment will be assessed by examining stiffness changes measured by shear wave imaging.

  • Change in Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment - Achilles (VISA-A) ScoreMonth 6, Month 9, Month 12

    Participants symptomatic for Achilles tendinopathy who received standard of care treatment will be asked to complete the VISA-A scale. The VISA-A scale assesses the severity of chronic Achilles tendinopathy. This 8-item, self-administered questionnaire asks about Achilles tendon pain, daily living function, and sporting activity. Total scores can range from 0 to 100, with 0 representing worst pain and function and 100 signifying no pain or limitations to function. Scores below 70 indicate the presence of Achilles tendinopathy.

  • Change in Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment - Patellar Tendon (VISA-P) ScoreMonth 6, Month 9, Month 12

    Participants symptomatic for patellar tendinopathy who received standard of care treatment will be asked to complete the VISA-A scale. The VISA-P scale assesses patellar tendinosis. This 8-item, self-administered questionnaire asks about symptoms, pain, function, and sporting activity. Total scores can range from 0 to 100, with 0 representing worst pain and function and 100 signifying no pain or limitations to function.

  • Change in The Foot & Ankle Disability Index (FADI) ScoreMonth 6, Month 9, Month 12

    The FADI is a self-report instrument assessing function related to the foot and ankle. The FADI has 26 items that are scored on a 5-point scale where 0 = unable to do and 4 = no difficulty at all. Total raw scores range from 0 to 104 and scores are converted to percentages, where 100% indicates no dysfunction. This instrument is administered to symptomatic patients receiving standard of care treatment.

  • Change in The Foot & Ankle Disability Index (FADI) Sport ScoreMonth 6, Month 9, Month 12

    The FADI Sport is a self-report instrument assessing function related to the foot and ankle in athletes. The FADI Sport has 8 items that are scored on a 5-point scale where 0 = unable to do and 4 = no difficulty at all. Total raw scores range from 0 to 32 and scores are converted to percentages, where 100% indicates no dysfunction. This instrument is administered to symptomatic patients receiving standard of care treatment.