Authors: (including presenting author): :
Chung CYC, Lau LFC, Lee LYY, Ma MCK, To TKT, Wong WSN, Lai LWC, Cheung CWM
Affiliation: :
Saint Francis University
Keyword 2: :
Tendon thickness
Keyword 3: :
Delamination
Keyword 4: :
Cross-sectional study
Introduction: :
Achilles tendinopathy is prevalent among runners, especially long-distance runners, and Achilles tendon pain is one of the common symptoms in Achilles tendinopathy. Overseas research remains inconsistent regarding the predictive and diagnostic uses of ultrasound on Achilles tendinopathy, and its use as a diagnostic adjunct in a HK population has yet to be investigated. Moreover, there is controversial and limited research on the association between demographic characteristics and running-related factors, and current Achilles tendon pain.
Objectives: :
to enhance differential diagnosis in managing potential Achilles tendinopathy in HK
Methodology: :
A cross-sectional observational design was employed. Subjects were (1) recruited from the "Run with Hong Kong Running Club"; (2) 18 to 64 years old; (3) long-distance (running at least 10 km per week for a minimum of 6 months) recreational or competitive runners. Outcome measures were: (1) ultrasound scanning of Achilles tendon thickness and delamination, (2) demographic and running-related factors of gender, age, weight, height, running years, days of practice per week, weekly running distance, and training pace.
Result & Outcome: :
From 19 May 2025 to 16 December 2025, 32 HK long-distance runners (no current Achilles tendon pain: n=27, current Achilles tendon pain: n=5) underwent ultrasound scanning at four Achilles tendon sites: sagittal plane of insertion (S1) and 6 cm from its insertion (S2), and transverse plane of insertion (T1) and 6 cm from its insertion (T2). There was no significant between-group difference in thickness on all four sites (S1: p=0.208; S2: p=0.591; T1: p=0.175; T2: p=0.516, Independent t-test), while there was a significant association between current Achilles tendon pain and delamination (p=0.024, Fisher's exact test), and they were 14 times more likely to have delamination than those without current Achilles tendon pain (Odds ratio: 14.000, p=0.029, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.306, 150.019). There were no significant between-group differences in gender (p=1.000, Fisher’s exact test), age (p=0.060, Independent t-test), weight (p=0.349, Mann Whitney-U test), height (p=0.853, Independent t-test), running years (p=0.460, Kruskal-Wallis H test), days of practice per week (p=0.413, Kruskal-Wallis H test), weekly running distance (p=0.287, Kruskal-Wallis H test), and training pace (p=0.197, Kruskal-Wallis H test). Achilles tendon delamination might be effective as a diagnostic adjunct for differential diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy in HK.
