Patellar tendon injuries are common and can lead to lasting mobility issues. Exercise is the best treatment, but current methods often misjudge actual tendon load, limiting recovery. This project used new shear wave tensiometry to directly measure tendon load and quantitative ultrasound to assess tendon health. The project aimed to test how neuromuscular electrical stimulation enhances tendon loading and explore links between tendon structure and function. The research team collected a large dataset of quantitative ultrasound metrics and paired biomechanical data from a healthy control cohort and a cohort with patellar tendon injury. Analysis is underway and findings will guide more precise rehabilitation strategies to improve outcomes following patellar tendon injuries.
The Challenge
Knee joint health is crucial for maintaining good mobility, quality of life and overall health throughout the lifespan. Tendon injuries are extremely common and impact individuals across ages and activity levels. These injuries are painful, limit physical activity and influence long-term knee joint health. The best treatment involves progressive loading through exercise to promote biological healing. Establishing optimal dosing via exercise remains a challenge, with clinical trials producing inconsistent results.
Project Goals
The project aimed to establish pathological patellar tendon characteristics using quantitative ultrasound and relate them to tendon loads experienced during rehabilitation exercises.
Results
The research team enrolled 50 participants in the study, including 17 healthy participants as controls and 33 participants with patellar tendon injuries, exceeding original expectations. They successfully obtained a large dataset of novel quantitative ultrasound metrics and paired biomechanics data from these two cohorts. Data processing is ongoing, and the team’s next step will be to complete the remaining analyses and finalize manuscripts for submission to high-impact journals. This data will support the design of a future clinical trial optimizing rehabilitation after patellar tendon injuries. Leveraging data from this study, Dr. Ito was awarded a $945,000 Pathway to Independence Award from the National Institutes of Health to continue this research. Dr. Ito’s selection for this award also supports his transition into a tenure-track faculty position in the UW SMPH Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation.
