MRI findings one year post-radio frequency ablation for chronic Achilles tendonosis: A case report

Achilles tendinosis has numerous possible etiologies including overuse, decreased tendon blood supply and tensile strength due to aging, muscle imbalance or weakness, and excessive pronation of the foot. The pathology of tendonosis is not completely understood yet there are many theories described t...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Claudia Radek-Ziffra, DPM, Howard A. Stone, DPM, FACFAS
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Foot & Ankle Surgery: Techniques, Reports & Cases
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667396724001034
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832576430874034176
author Claudia Radek-Ziffra, DPM
Howard A. Stone, DPM, FACFAS
author_facet Claudia Radek-Ziffra, DPM
Howard A. Stone, DPM, FACFAS
author_sort Claudia Radek-Ziffra, DPM
collection DOAJ
description Achilles tendinosis has numerous possible etiologies including overuse, decreased tendon blood supply and tensile strength due to aging, muscle imbalance or weakness, and excessive pronation of the foot. The pathology of tendonosis is not completely understood yet there are many theories described throughout literature. If conservative therapy fails, surgical intervention is indicated. Open surgical debridement of the damaged areas of the Achilles tendon with or without tissue graft and tendon transfers has been the standard of care for many years. Within several studies, there has been reported TOPAZ radiofrequency ablation as a successful and effective method for the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy similar to its use for plantar fasciitis in the lower extremity. This case study focuses on the comparing MRI findings of the Achilles tendon prior to radiofrequency ablation versus 13 months postoperatively. A VAS analog pain score was used pre-operatively and post-operatively for an accurate measurement of pain reduction. The objective measurement of pain was based on pain on palpation along the watershed area of the Achilles tendon on physical examination as well as return to daily life activities. Utilizing this treatment modality described below, no signal intensity changes were not present on follow up MRI within the Achilles tendon. Following surgery, there was reduced thickening of the Achilles tendon at the watershed area on physical exam. The patients pre-operative pain symptoms completely resolved. TOPAZ radiofrequency ablation is an effective method for the treatment of Achilles tendonosis and should be considered prior to performing a more invasive surgical procedure.
format Article
id doaj-art-afe71b49f02d4bd9840140663f2b5f4f
institution Kabale University
issn 2667-3967
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Foot & Ankle Surgery: Techniques, Reports & Cases
spelling doaj-art-afe71b49f02d4bd9840140663f2b5f4f2025-01-31T05:12:42ZengElsevierFoot & Ankle Surgery: Techniques, Reports & Cases2667-39672025-01-0151100463MRI findings one year post-radio frequency ablation for chronic Achilles tendonosis: A case reportClaudia Radek-Ziffra, DPM0Howard A. Stone, DPM, FACFAS1Rush University Medical Center Foot and Ankle Surgery Residency, 1620 W. Harrison, Chicago IL, United States; Corresponding author at: Rush University Medical Center, 1620 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.North Shore Foot & Ankle, 2501 Compass Rd Ste 120, Glenview, IL United StatesAchilles tendinosis has numerous possible etiologies including overuse, decreased tendon blood supply and tensile strength due to aging, muscle imbalance or weakness, and excessive pronation of the foot. The pathology of tendonosis is not completely understood yet there are many theories described throughout literature. If conservative therapy fails, surgical intervention is indicated. Open surgical debridement of the damaged areas of the Achilles tendon with or without tissue graft and tendon transfers has been the standard of care for many years. Within several studies, there has been reported TOPAZ radiofrequency ablation as a successful and effective method for the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy similar to its use for plantar fasciitis in the lower extremity. This case study focuses on the comparing MRI findings of the Achilles tendon prior to radiofrequency ablation versus 13 months postoperatively. A VAS analog pain score was used pre-operatively and post-operatively for an accurate measurement of pain reduction. The objective measurement of pain was based on pain on palpation along the watershed area of the Achilles tendon on physical examination as well as return to daily life activities. Utilizing this treatment modality described below, no signal intensity changes were not present on follow up MRI within the Achilles tendon. Following surgery, there was reduced thickening of the Achilles tendon at the watershed area on physical exam. The patients pre-operative pain symptoms completely resolved. TOPAZ radiofrequency ablation is an effective method for the treatment of Achilles tendonosis and should be considered prior to performing a more invasive surgical procedure.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667396724001034Level IV- case study
spellingShingle Claudia Radek-Ziffra, DPM
Howard A. Stone, DPM, FACFAS
MRI findings one year post-radio frequency ablation for chronic Achilles tendonosis: A case report
Foot & Ankle Surgery: Techniques, Reports & Cases
Level IV- case study
title MRI findings one year post-radio frequency ablation for chronic Achilles tendonosis: A case report
title_full MRI findings one year post-radio frequency ablation for chronic Achilles tendonosis: A case report
title_fullStr MRI findings one year post-radio frequency ablation for chronic Achilles tendonosis: A case report
title_full_unstemmed MRI findings one year post-radio frequency ablation for chronic Achilles tendonosis: A case report
title_short MRI findings one year post-radio frequency ablation for chronic Achilles tendonosis: A case report
title_sort mri findings one year post radio frequency ablation for chronic achilles tendonosis a case report
topic Level IV- case study
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667396724001034
work_keys_str_mv AT claudiaradekziffradpm mrifindingsoneyearpostradiofrequencyablationforchronicachillestendonosisacasereport
AT howardastonedpmfacfas mrifindingsoneyearpostradiofrequencyablationforchronicachillestendonosisacasereport