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Review
. 2024 Nov 22;16(11):e74200.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.74200. eCollection 2024 Nov.

Congruency of Ultrasound Measure Changes Against Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Patellar Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cameron Parks  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Congruency of Ultrasound Measure Changes Against Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Patellar Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cameron Parks. Cureus. .

Abstract

Patellar tendinopathy is a highly prevalent clinical diagnosis supported by ultrasound changes. Numerous interventions are targeted at improving both symptoms and structure of dysfunctional tendons, however little is known of the diagnostic value in a changing ultrasound profile whilst patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) determine recovery. The aim is to assess if changes in ultrasound measures are congruent with changes in Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment - Patella (VISA-P) scores, thereby supporting the use of ultrasound to assess patellar tendinopathy during symptom improvement. Four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL) were searched in January 2019. Studies selected contained ultrasound and VISA-P scores from ≥ 2 type points. All included studies were quality assessed depending on the type and available data and underwent meta-analysis. A total of 10 papers of varying study types, limited to high quality, were synthesized. The meta-analysis indicated that changes in ultrasound measures were not congruent with changes in the VISA-P score. The variation in study quality, along with significant heterogeneity of ultrasound measure outcomes and reporting may influence the congruency of the data, but the association between gradual structure change and varying vascularity with pain or function is questionable throughout tendinopathy literature. The small study yield coupled with omission of data, along with alterations to form coherent analysis may impact outcomes, with an absence of homogeneity throughout studies. Ultrasound assessment is not useful in the follow-up of patellar tendinopathy after treatment and is of limited use as an indicator of normal function.

Keywords: injury; patellar; tendinopathy; ultrasound; visa-p.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. PRISMA flow diagram
Figure 2
Figure 2. Change in ultrasound measure against change in VISA-P
US, ultrasound; VISA-P, Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella
Figure 3
Figure 3. Change in a 'structural' element on ultrasound vs change in VISA-P
US, ultrasound; VISA-P, Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella
Figure 4
Figure 4. Change in vascularisation on ultrasound vs change in VISA-P
US, ultrasound; VISA-P, Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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