Tracking of Red Blood Cells Using Super Resolution Ultrasound in Persons With Healthy or Overuse Injured Tendons

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Super-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging of Erythrocytes (SURE): Research ultrasound sequence for tracking erythrocytes and thereby generating a super-resolution image of the vasculature.

Study summary

The goal of this observational study is to test whether a new ultrasound method, called SUper Resolution ultrasound imaging of Erythrocytes (SURE), can image the small blood vessels found in tendons of persons with a tendon overuse injury (tendinopathy). The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Is the method sensitive enough to detect the smallest blood vessels
* What information about the blood flow can be obtained (flow velocity, pressure, shape of the vessels)
* Can the flow in an injured tendon be distinguished from that of a healthy one

Participants will receive a non-invasive ultrasound examination of their Achilles (heel) or patellar (knee) tendon, using an advanced high frequency research ultrasound system.

Researchers will compare participants with either an Achilles or patellar tendon overuse injury to participants with healthy tendons, to see if there are distinct differences in the blood vessels that could help diagnose and treat the injuries.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Vessel density (all) — day 0 (the study is cross-sectional)
  Mean difference in blood vessel density detected by SURE imaging, between the healthy and tendinopathic group (across both patellar and Achilles).

Trial sites (1)

More University Hospital Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg trials in Denmark

Other trials for the same condition