Evaluation of Normal and Pathological Patellar Tendon by Real- Time Shear Wave Elastography

Abstract

Patellar tendinopathy usually affects athletes involved in jumping sports, but also in older people, because of degenerative process which results from repetitive micro-damages over time. Tendinopathy is a generic term comprising a whole area of different pathologies, ranging from degenerative to post-traumatic, metabolic or inflammatory conditions of the tendon, such as paratenonitis, bursitis, tendinosis [4][5][6]. Patellar tendinopathy is a common condition manifested by anterior knee pain. The diagnosis is established by a thorough history and physical examination, but imaging is the gold standard. Most cases are resolved with nonsurgical treatment, like eccentric exercises, cryotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid injections, platelet-rich plasma injections or ultrasound-guided sclerosis. Once patients pass the first inflammatory phase and remain symptomatic, surgical treatment becomes a necessary option [5][6][7][8].