Skip to content

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Patients With Patellar Tendinopathy on Its Micromorphology

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Patients With Patellar Tendinopathy on Its Micromorphology

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06102421
Enrollment
42
Registered
2023-10-26
Start date
2023-05-01
Completion date
2024-04-10
Last updated
2025-05-01

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Patellar Tendinopathy

Keywords

Patellar Tendinopathy, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, Ultrasonography

Brief summary

This work is designed as a prospective cohort study, in which the effects of low-energy focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in patients with Patellar tendinopathy (PT) will be monitored on its micromorphology. It is estimated that at least 21 patients will participate. In addition, there will be a small control group of healthy tendons which will be monitored to observe magnitude of natural changes.

Detailed description

This work is designed as a prospective cohort study, in which the effects of low-energy focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in patients with Patellar tendinopathy (PT) will be monitored on its micromorphology. It is estimated that at least 21 patients will participate. In addition, there will be a small control group of healthy tendons which will be monitored to observe magnitude of natural changes. The research within one patient will last a total of 16 weeks from the initial to the final examination. Potential participants will be selected based on the recommendation of a specialist doctor and their suitability will be assessed according to the inclusion criteria. They will then be invited to an initial examination. This will include an objective examination by a physiotherapist, a subjective assessment by the patient and an ultrasonographic (USG) examination followed by a micromorphological analysis using special software.

Interventions

Low-energy focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy will be applied 4 times with an interval of 7 days from the BTL-6000 FSWT device with piezoelectric generator. The energy can vary between 0.12-0.20 mJ/mm2 based on the pain toleration, frequency 5 Hz, total number of shocks 2x2000. The application of the first set of shocks will be semi-static at the location of the largest USG defined pathology in the patellar tendon and the second set of shocks will be performed dynamically to the proximal tendon. These parameters were selected in accordance to ISMST guidelines.

Sponsors

University Hospital, Motol
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patient is a recreational athlete performing intensive sport activity loading patellar tendon (running, jumping, strength training etc.) at least 3 days in a week for minimum of 1 hour per session, * is in age between 18-40 years, * has a patellar tendon pain, which limits (at least in part) the quality of normal daily or sports activities, * has clinical manifestation of patellar tendinopathy (pain and impaired function) confirmed by clinician, * has symptoms only in one leg, the other one is asymptomatic.

Exclusion criteria

* Any contraindication for ESWT is present (according to International Society for Medical Shockwave Treatment (ISMST) consensus at https://shockwavetherapy.org), * Patient is aware of any symptomatic mechanical tendon damage in the past (e.g., partial or complete rupture in relation to the injury), * neurological, oncological, or systemic disease (e.g., neuropathy, lupus or rheumatic arthritis) coexists, * is/was already treated for PT elsewhere (e.g., platelet-rich plasma therapy, physiotherapy) * is using blood thinning medications or statins.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Peak Spatial Frequency Radius at the Site of PathologyChange of initial values at 16 weeks follow up after beginning of the therapy.Measured by spatial frequency analysis software from ultrasound picture in mm. In a linear view with specific settings of ultrasound machine, the site of the largest pathology is selected, then the image is saved and uploaded to the software that evaluates the PSFR parameter.
Change in VISA-P Questionnaire ScoreChange of initial values at 16 weeks follow up after beginning of the therapy.The VISA-P questionnaire is standardized questionnaire for patients with Patellar tendinopathy. The results are recorded in points (0-100 points). The higher score indicates patients better condition.
Change in P6 Parameter at the Site of PathologyChange of initial values at 16 weeks follow up after beginning of the therapy.Measured by spatial frequency analysis software from ultrasound picture in mm. In a linear view with specific settings of ultrasound machine, the site of the largest pathology is selected, then the image is saved and uploaded to the software that evaluates the P6 parameter.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Tendon Diameter at the Place of Maximum Tendon WidthChange of initial values at 16 weeks follow up after beginning of the therapy.Measured by tools in ultrasound machine in mm. In linear view is selected maximal width place, then the tendon diameter is measured using device tools.

Countries

Czechia

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Symptomatic Patellar Tendon (Patellar Tendinopathy) Treated by ESWT
The included patients show signs of unilateral patellar tendinopathy and were included in the study in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion parameters. Data of clinical symptoms and morphological measures of symptomatic patellar tendons of enrolled participants are allocated to this group. Participants will receive a low-energy focused ESWT in accordance with study protocol. ESWT will be applied 4 times with an interval of 7 days from the BTL-6000 FSWT device with piezoelectric generator. The energy can vary between 0.12-0.20 mJ/mm2 based on the pain toleration, frequency 5 Hz, total number of shocks 2x2000. The application of the first set of shocks will be semi-static at the location of the largest USG defined pathology in the patellar tendon and the second set of shocks will be performed dynamically to the proximal tendon. These parameters were selected in accordance to ISMST guidelines.
21
Healthy Tendon
The asymptomatic tendons of enrolled patient are allocated to this group and are considered healthy based on clinical and ultrasound examination of the patellar tendon. In this group, no specific treatment will be performed, only patellar tendon morphology will be monitored through time.
21
Total42

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicHealthy TendonSymptomatic Patellar Tendon (Patellar Tendinopathy) Treated by ESWTTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
21 Participants21 Participants42 Participants
Age, Continuous29.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.1
29.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.1
29.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.1
BMI24.2 kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.2
24.2 kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.2
24.2 kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.2
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected0 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Czechia
21 participants21 participants42 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
5 Participants5 Participants10 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
16 Participants16 Participants32 Participants
Symptom duration19.6 months
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.1
19.6 months
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.1
19.6 months
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.1

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 210 / 21
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 210 / 21
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 210 / 21

Outcome results

Primary

Change in P6 Parameter at the Site of Pathology

Measured by spatial frequency analysis software from ultrasound picture in mm. In a linear view with specific settings of ultrasound machine, the site of the largest pathology is selected, then the image is saved and uploaded to the software that evaluates the P6 parameter.

Time frame: Change of initial values at 16 weeks follow up after beginning of the therapy.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Symptomatic Patellar Tendon Treated by ESWT - BaselineChange in P6 Parameter at the Site of Pathology1.119 mmStandard Deviation 0.022
Symptomatic Patellar Tendon Treated With ESWT - Follow-upChange in P6 Parameter at the Site of Pathology1.099 mmStandard Deviation 0.022
Primary

Change in Peak Spatial Frequency Radius at the Site of Pathology

Measured by spatial frequency analysis software from ultrasound picture in mm. In a linear view with specific settings of ultrasound machine, the site of the largest pathology is selected, then the image is saved and uploaded to the software that evaluates the PSFR parameter.

Time frame: Change of initial values at 16 weeks follow up after beginning of the therapy.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Symptomatic Patellar Tendon Treated by ESWT - BaselineChange in Peak Spatial Frequency Radius at the Site of Pathology2.119 mmStandard Deviation 0.148
Symptomatic Patellar Tendon Treated With ESWT - Follow-upChange in Peak Spatial Frequency Radius at the Site of Pathology2.234 mmStandard Deviation 0.133
Primary

Change in VISA-P Questionnaire Score

The VISA-P questionnaire is standardized questionnaire for patients with Patellar tendinopathy. The results are recorded in points (0-100 points). The higher score indicates patients better condition.

Time frame: Change of initial values at 16 weeks follow up after beginning of the therapy.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Symptomatic Patellar Tendon Treated by ESWT - BaselineChange in VISA-P Questionnaire Score68.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.2
Symptomatic Patellar Tendon Treated With ESWT - Follow-upChange in VISA-P Questionnaire Score83.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.1
Secondary

Change in Tendon Diameter at the Place of Maximum Tendon Width

Measured by tools in ultrasound machine in mm. In linear view is selected maximal width place, then the tendon diameter is measured using device tools.

Time frame: Change of initial values at 16 weeks follow up after beginning of the therapy.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Symptomatic Patellar Tendon Treated by ESWT - BaselineChange in Tendon Diameter at the Place of Maximum Tendon Width4.87 mmStandard Deviation 0.74
Symptomatic Patellar Tendon Treated With ESWT - Follow-upChange in Tendon Diameter at the Place of Maximum Tendon Width4.40 mmStandard Deviation 0.73

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026