Journal article
Effects of Ultrasound-Guided Tenotomy and Debridement on Pain, Function, and Psychological Factors for Achilles Tendinopathy: A Prospective Cohort Study
Journal of orthopaedic research, Vol.44(2), e70071
02/2026
DOI: 10.1002/jor.70071
PMCID: PMC12856796
PMID: 41015820
Appears in UI Libraries Support Open Access
Abstract
Ultrasound-guided tenotomy and debridement is a minimally invasive treatment with a low risk of complications for individuals with chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Yet the benefits of this procedure on pain, function, and pain-related psychological factors, as well as predictors of treatment success, remain understudied. A total of 56 individuals with chronic Achilles tendinopathy (mean (SD): age = 55.9 (11) years, BMI = 34.8 (8.2) kg/m
, women = 68%) underwent baseline ultrasonography, followed by ultrasound-guided tenotomy and debridement, and rehabilitation. Participants reported pain (0-10), function (Foot and Ankle Ability Measure-ADL), kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-17), and pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale) at baseline and for a year following the procedure. Baseline pain was 6.1 (2.2), kinesiophobia was 40.8 (7.1), pain catastrophizing was 13.7 (10.2), and function was 55.9 (17.3). By 6 weeks, there were decreases in pain (mean change (95% CI): -1.9 (-1.1 to -2.6), function: 14.4 (9.3-19.5), kinesiophobia: -5 (-3.2 to -6.9), and pain catastrophizing: -7 (-4.9 to -9.1)). Patient-reported outcomes were similar at 52 weeks (pain: -2.99 (-2.2 to -3.8), function: 25.1 (19.6-30.7), kinesiophobia: -7.5 (-6.1 to -11.4), catastrophizing: -8.5 (-6.1 to -10.8)) following the procedure. Haglund deformity (β: -13.1 (-0.6 to -25.5)) and intratendinous calcifications (β: -14.7 (-1.4 to -28.1)) were associated with smaller improvements in function. No procedure-related complications were reported. Clinical significance: Ultrasound-guided tenotomy and debridement for chronic Achilles tendinopathy may provide positive outcomes for pain, function, and pain-related psychological factors at 6-week and 1-year follow-up. Haglund deformity and tendon calcifications were associated with smaller improvements in function.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Effects of Ultrasound-Guided Tenotomy and Debridement on Pain, Function, and Psychological Factors for Achilles Tendinopathy: A Prospective Cohort Study
- Creators
- Mederic M Hall - University of IowaRuth L Chimenti - University of Iowa, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation ScienceJessica F Danielson - University of IowaTimothy R Fleagle - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of orthopaedic research, Vol.44(2), e70071
- DOI
- 10.1002/jor.70071
- PMID
- 41015820
- PMCID
- PMC12856796
- NLM abbreviation
- J Orthop Res
- ISSN
- 1554-527X
- eISSN
- 1554-527X
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Grant note
- This work was funded by the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) Stephen l. Katz Bridge to R34 & Foundation Research Grant. Research reported in this paper was supported by Grant Number T32 NS045549 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Study data were collected and managed using REDcap electronic data capture tools hosted at the University of Iowa (NIH-UM1TR004403).
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 09/28/2025
- Date published
- 02/2026
- Academic Unit
- Radiology; Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Family and Community Medicine; Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
- Record Identifier
- 9984966797602771
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