THURSDAY, May 4 (HealthDay News) -- Ultrasound-guided injections of a hyperosmolar dextrose solution may help patients with chronic tendinosis of the Achilles tendon or the infrapatellar tendon, according to research presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Roentgen Ray Society in Vancouver, Canada.
Anthony D. Wong, M.D., of St. Paul's Hospital and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, and colleagues studied the effects of the treatment on 53 cases (36 Achilles tendons and 17 infrapatellar tendons) in which patients experienced pain during rest, normal daily activity and athletic activities. Patients had from two to 11 injection sessions (median, 4.0).
The treatment was successful in 43 of the tendons, including 32 Achilles tendons and 11 infrapatellar tendons, and allowed patients to return to pre-injury activity.
"I have since expanded the treatment successfully to include tendonopathy of the elbow and for plantar fasciitis and several other sites. It may have value in treating some shoulder tendonopathies but further studies are needed," Wong said in a statement.
Abstract (#172)
