Treatment of patellar tendinopathy--a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2012 Aug;20(8):1632-46. doi: 10.1007/s00167-011-1825-1. Epub 2011 Dec 21.

Abstract

Purpose: Patellar tendinopathy is a common, painful, overuse disorder. Although many different treatment methods have been described, there is no consensus regarding the optimal treatment for this condition. The purpose of this study was to systematically review, summarize, and compare treatments for patellar tendinopathy from published randomized controlled trials.

Methods: Database searches were performed for randomized prospective controlled trials comparing treatment methods for patellar tendinopathy. The thirteen articles considered relevant were scrutinized according to quality assessment guidelines and levels of evidence.

Results: Strong evidence was found for the use of eccentric training to treat patellar tendinopathy. Moderate evidence was found for conservative treatment (heavy slow resistance training) as an alternative to eccentric training. Moderate evidence suggests that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound treatment did not influence treatment outcomes. Limited evidence was found for surgery, sclerosing injections, and shockwave therapy.

Conclusion: Physical training, and particularly eccentric training, appears to be the treatment of choice for patients suffering from patellar tendinopathy. However, type of exercise, frequency, load, and dosage must also be analyzed. Other treatment methods, such as surgical treatment, sclerosing injections, and shockwave therapy, must be investigated further before recommendations can be made regarding their use. Ultrasound can likely be excluded as a treatment for patellar tendinopathy. There is a persistent lack of well-designed studies with sufficiently long-term follow-up and number of patients to draw strong conclusions regarding therapy.

Level of evidence: II.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • High-Energy Shock Waves / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Patellar Ligament / pathology*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Sclerosing Solutions / therapeutic use
  • Tendinopathy / rehabilitation
  • Tendinopathy / surgery
  • Tendinopathy / therapy*
  • Ultrasonic Therapy

Substances

  • Sclerosing Solutions