A new ultrasound-guided percutaneous electrolysis and exercise treatment in patellar tendinopathy: three case reports

• Published in: Frontiers in bioscience (Landmark. Print) Vol. 26; no. 11; pp. 1166 - 1175
• Main Authors: Muñoz-Fernández, Alberto Carlos, Barragán-Carballar, Carlos, Villafañe, Jorge Hugo, Martín-Pérez, Sebastián, Alonso-Pérez, José Luis, Díaz-Meco, Raquel, García-Jiménez, David, Sánchez-Romero, Eleuterio A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore IMR Press 30-11-2021
• Subjects: Electrolysis; Humans; percutaneous electrolysis; tendinopathy; Tendinopathy - diagnostic imaging; Tendinopathy - therapy; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography; Ultrasonography, Interventional; Tendinopathy; Ultrasonography; Percutaneous electrolysis
• ISSN: 2768-6701; 2768-6698
• DOI: 10.52586/5017

: To present preliminary clinical results of the effects of a new treatment with percutaneous electrolysis directed to peripheral tendon and therapeutic resistance exercise, with or without the presence of degenerative zone.
: 3 patients with patellar tendinopathy aged 37-45 years with diagnostic of patellar tendinopathy with pain since 5-8 weeks were treated with a novel, less invasive electrolysis technique. Pain severity was measured by Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Lower limb functionality was measured by a Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment questionnaire (VISA-P). A clinical interview and ultrasonography assesment were performed before study protocol were carried out. Each participants received 4 to 7 sessions of percutaneous electrolysis (350 μA, 80 s) leaving at least one week between sessions during a total of 8 weeks. During this time, subjects also were undergone a therapeutic exercise protocol of lower limbs resistance training.
: Pain severity decreased after 3 weeks treatment (
= 0.01) and was practically abolished after 4-7 sessions at 8 weeks (
= 0.2). The lower limb functionality (VISA-P) increased after 3 weeks treatment and the major difference was found at 8 weeks post-intervention (
= 0.001). Thickness of the patellar tendon decreased after 8 weeks treatment (
= 0.01).
: The present work provides the first evidence that percutaneous electrolysis with a least invasive physiotherapy treatment targeted to peripheral tendon in combination with therapeutic resistance exercise diminished pain, improved funcitonality and showed a tendency to decreased thickness in subjects with patelallar tendinopathy.