A pilot study exploring the use of hyaluronic acid in treating insertional achilles tendinopathy

• Published in: Journal of orthopaedic surgery (Hong Kong) Vol. 32; no. 1; p. 10225536241242086
• Main Authors: Ohana, Nissim, Segal, David, Kots, Eugene, Feldman, Viktor, Nyska, Meir, Palmanovich, Ezequiel, Slevin, Omer
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2024; Sage Publications Ltd; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Achilles Tendon; Humans; Hyaluronic acid; Hyaluronic Acid - therapeutic use; Pilot Projects; Sports; Tendinopathy - diagnostic imaging; Tendinopathy - drug therapy; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonic imaging; functional improvement; injection therapies; pilot study; chronic pain management; musculoskeletal injections; ultrasound therapy; heel pain; achilles tendinopathy; hyaluronic acid; non-surgical intervention
• ISSN: 1022-5536; 2309-4990; 2309-4990
• DOI: 10.1177/10225536241242086

Purpose This study explores the use of ultrasound-guided Hyaluronic Acid (HA) injections for Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy (IAT). Methods A cohort of 15 ankles diagnosed with IAT received three weekly ultrasound-guided HA injections. The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment – Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire scored the severity of symptoms and functional impairment before treatment, and at one and six months post-treatment. Results Significant improvement was observed in VISA-A scores post-treatment, rising from an average baseline of 34.8 ± 15.2 (11-63) to 53.6 ± 20.9 (15-77) after one month, and then to 50.7 ± 18.6 (20-75) after six months. No adverse reactions were noted, underscoring the safety of the intervention. Conclusion The pilot study presents HA injections as a potentially effective treatment for IAT, while interpretation of these findings must take into account the variability in results, indicating a range of patient responses. It encourages further research to confirm these findings and to explore HA’s full potential in managing IAT, despite the limitations of a small sample size and lack of control group.