Achilles Tendinopathy Pain Study

A collaboration between UBC (Alex Scott, PT, Brian Cairns, pharmacy) and Dr Jim Bovard (Whitecaps), and Erin Bussin (MSc student). There are clinical success stories of good pain control for tendinopathy, as an adjunct to rehabilitation, using 10% topical diclofenac. This is a placebo-controlled study to gather data on the efficacy of this treatment. Subjects can continue their rehabilitation. They will experience two 3-day courses of treatment (placebo or diclofenac) in random order. Pain and function will be assessed.

We are conducting a clinical trial to look at the effectiveness of diclofenac, a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug, in treating Achilles tendon pain. If you participate, you will be receiving two gels: diclofenac and placebo treatment. You will be using each gel for the course of 3 days. The evaluation of the treatment will occur at Vancouver General Hospital. The main treatment has shown to reduce the pain associated with muscle and tendon disorders. The study also involves having ultrasound scans of your Achilles tendon.

Main Inclusion criteria – Male and female subjects aged 19 years and older; fluent in English; subject diagnosed with Achilles tendinopathy by a health care professional; symptoms for 3 months or more; subjects who are able to give informed consent.

Main exclusion criteria – BMI greater than 30.0; previous Achilles tendon rupture (complete or partial);  chronic pain syndrome, diabetes, or systemic inflammatory disease; symptomatic osteoarthritis of the spine or lower extremities; previous corticosteroid injections to the Achilles; subjects who have been prescribed statins, anticoagulants, or fluroquinolones within the past 3 months.

Contact : erin.bussin@hiphealth.ca