Ultrasound examination and patellar tendinopathy scores in asymptomatic college jumpers

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of hypoechoic areas by US and its’ association with VISA-P scores among asymptomatic jumpers while highlighting sex comparisons.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Pre-participation exam at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) division I college.

Participants: Thirty-one college athletes who engage in jumping sports.

Main outcome measures: Hypoechoic images of patellar tendon captured by ultrasound examination were compared to a self-reported knee functional survey, the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment for patellar tendinopathy (VISA-P) scale (0–100).

Results: With a total of 31 athletes (13 males and 18 females), prevalence rate of the hypoechoic areas of patellar tendon was 19.4% (6/31) in the right knee and 29.0% (9/31) in the left knee. There was no proportional difference in a comparison of prevalence rate of hypoechoic area [(+) or (−)] by sex in either right or left knee. The VISA-P scores were significantly lower in US (+) than US (−) in the right knee (p = 0.003, Cohen’s d = 1.675), but not the left knee (p = 0.250, Cohen’s d = 0.512). The receiver operating characteristics curve analysis indicated the most sensitive and specific VISA-P values based on status [(+) or (−)] of hypoechoic area was 89.5 with 86.4% and 77.7% of sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion: In short, hypoechoic areas were detected by US examination among self-reported asymptomatic jumpers. There was an association between hypoechoic areas and VISA-P scores in the right knee, but not in left knee. VISA-P scores may be used as a screening tool for the presence of hypoechoic areas.

KEYWORDS:

• Ultrasound
• VISA-P
• screening
• jumper’s knee
• elite athletes

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript was not funded.