The Efficacy of Polidocanol Injections as a Treatment of Chronic Achilles. Tendinopathy

Placebo Controlled Trial, Testing the Efficacy of Polidocanol Injections as a Treatment of Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy.

Chronic achilles tendinopathy is a common disease especially in adults. The golden standard in treatment has up to now been excentric exercises but with varying success. A new hypothesis is that this chronic pain is due to neo vascularisation. In a pilot study sclerosing injections with polidocanol have had a successful efficacy. Our aim is to study the efficacy of polidocanol as a treatment in a randomised controlled setting on a larger scale.

48 patients with chronic achilles tendinopathy for more than 3 months who have tried excentric exercises without success will be randomised to either polidocanol or lidocaine injections if having ultrasound verified neo-vascularisation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 year old, Ultrasound verified Achilles tendinopathy with neo-vascularisation, pain duration more than three months, excentric exercises for at least three months, women: negative pregnancy test, safe anticonceptive

Exclusion Criteria:

• Dementia, mental disease or other illness incompatible with participation, no ultrasound verified neo-vascularisation, any illness which contraindicate the use of Polidocanol or Lidocaine, granulation tissue of more than 50 % of the Achilles tendon, ability of lying in prone position, women: pregnancy or breastfeeding,