Achilles Tendons: Clinical Relevance of Neovascularization Diagnosed with Power Doppler US

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Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical relevance of neovascularization diagnosed with power Doppler ultrasonography (US) in Achilles tendons in patients with chronic achillodynia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty consecutive patients (mean age, 52 years; age range, 30–72 years) were examined. US was performed bilaterally and repeated after 3 months. Shape and echogenicity were assessed with gray-scale US and vascularization with power Doppler US. All patients were treated conservatively. Clinical assessment was performed after 0, 3, and 6 months by using visual analogue scale (VAS) scores (0, no pain; 100, unbearable pain). The VAS scores were compared with the initial US findings, and analysis of variance was used for repeated measurements. RESULTS: Neovascularization was present in 30 of 55 painful tendons and in one of 25 asymptomatic tendons. The mean VAS scores at 0, 3, and 6 months, respectively, for tendons with neovascularization were 52, 26, and 20; those for tendons without neovascularization were 39, 19...