Achilles Tendon, Achilles Tendon Injury
Conditions
Keywords
Achilles tendon, Radiofrecuency, Physiotherapy
Brief summary
448 kHz capacitive-resistive monopolar radiofrequency is an emerging physiotherapy technique whose usefulness and clinical relevance still need to be investigated. This study is a pre-post quasi-experimental study in which several variables will be measured before and immediately after 448 kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency. It aims to analyze the morphological and mechanical changes in the Achilles tendon following the intervention in healthy runners.
Detailed description
The Achilles tendon is fundamental to running biomechanics, and its performance directly affects athletic performance and injury prevention. 448 kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency has demonstrated effects on vascularization, recovery, and elasticity of musculoskeletal tissues. However, there are no studies that comprehensively evaluate the morphological, mechanical, and functional changes in the Achilles tendón in healthy runners after the application of this technique. The investigators expect the intervention to induce short-term morphological and mechanical changes in the Achilles tendon, providing further insight into the potential of this technique as a preventive tool.
Interventions
DEVICE448 kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency
The procedure will consist of a 20-minute radiofrequency session on the Achilles tendon, applying 10 minutes in capacitive mode and 10 minutes in resistive mode. The device has a maximum peak power of 200 W and 450 V. Both modes will be administered as a hyperthermia dose, adjusted according to the patient's subjective perception of heat, with a target of 8/10. The application will be performed longitudinally on the Achilles tendon, from proximal to distal and from distal to proximal, measuring the variables before and after the procedure. In resistive mode, continuous wave will be used, and the return electrode will be a plate placed under the patient's abdomen. The entire procedure will be carried out following the manufacturer's instructions.
Sponsors
University of Malaga
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Adults aged 18-65 * Runners with at least one year of regular practice. * Must not have suffered any ligament, bone, tendon, or muscle injury in the lower limb or lumbar region during the last year.
Exclusion criteria
* History of lower limb surgery, rheumatic or neuromuscular diseases or pregnancy * Contraindication for radiofrecuency treatment. * Athletes with visual, auditory, or any other impairment that may affect their cognitive ability to understand the test.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Achilles tendon thickness (mm) measured by B-mode ultrasound | 1 hour | The Achilles tendon will be assessed with the participant in a prone position, legs extended and feet resting over the edge of the examination couch. Ultrasound images will be acquired using a linear transducer in the long axis of the tendon, at the level of the medial malleolus, in order to reduce bone-related artefacts. B-mode ultrasound will be used for the evaluation. |
| Elastography in Achilles tendon | 1 hour | Tendon stiffness and elasticity were assessed using compression elastography. Color-coded elastographic maps and quantitative tissue deformation values were obtained following standardized procedures previously described in the literature. Measurements were performed at the same procedure used for measuring tendon thickness. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Plantar flexion strength | 1 hour | It will be assessed using an electronic isometric dynamometer, recording the maximum force generated during a voluntary plantar flexion contraction against fixed resistance, maintaining a standardized ankle position and performing several attempts to obtain a reliable value. |
| Functionality of the lower limb | 1 hour | It will be evaluated using the Multijump Rebound Test, a validated test that analyzes the capacity for repeated jumping and the efficiency of the stretch-shortening cycle, allowing the functional changes to be related to the morphological and mechanical properties of the muscle-tendon system. |
Countries
Spain
Contacts
CONTACTJosé Daniel Gómez-Requena, PT
Outcome results
None listed