Human Research Coordination

We are looking at how people with Achilles tendon pain recover over time. In particular, we are interested to see if men and women respond differently to the currently recommended physical therapy treatment. This study involves coming to evaluation sessions every 8 weeks over the course of a year. This ends up being 7 evaluations total. The first one will take 2.5-3 hours to complete and every other one will take about 1.5-2 hours. At these evaluation sessions, the study team will ask you to complete surveys about your Achilles tendon pain, look at how your tendon is healing using ultrasound imaging, and also see how your strength and functional ability for activities like jumping is recovering.

In addition to these evaluation sessions, we are providing physical therapy treatment that is the current recommendation for recovering from Achilles tendon pain. This treatment is provided by a licensed physical therapist. Treatment includes strategic exercises as well as providing information about how to manage pain and promote recovery of your tendon. The time commitment for the physical therapy treatment will range from 6-12 visits during the first 6 weeks and after that up to another 12 visits. The maximal number of visits will be 24 visits. Each visit is estimated to take approximately 30-45 minutes. You will also be asked to perform a home exercise program that takes about 15 minutes to complete. Treatment is provided at no cost to you or to your insurance.

You are being asked to participate because you have pain, stiffness, and discomfort (so-called Achilles tendinopathy/tendinitis) in your Achilles tendon. You must between the ages of 18-65 years. You should have no other current injury that would limit you from standing and/or performing exercises of the injured leg. You cannot participate if you have had a complete tear of the Achilles tendon or if the injury and symptoms are purely from where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone.

If you are interested in participating, please fill out our form or contact Jennifer Marmon by phone or email.