Ultrasound-guided Dry Needling in Jumper’s Knee: A Case Report

Abstract

Background Jumper’s knee is a highly prevalent tendon condition in volleyball players population. Research on clinical effects of tendon dry needling in jumper’s knee is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to present clinical effects of ultrasound-guided dry needling of quadricipital tendon in a patient with jumper’s knee. Methods A 23-years-old volleyball player, who experienced pain in quadricipital tendon for 5 months, was presented and treated by ultrasound-guided dry needling of quadricipital tendon with one session. Slightly limited knee flexion range of motion, high scores in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at rest and during Single-Leg decline Squat test (SLDS) related to high pain intensity, low scores in Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment (VISA-P) scale and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) were found. Further examination revealed sensitization of the quadricipital tendon (low pressure pain threshold). Results We found important improvements in VISA-P, LEFS and VAS. Besides, pressure pain threshold and knee flexion during SLDS also showed improvements. Results which were obtained were better in all the variables studied and these recoveries were stable for 6 months. Conclusions Our findings showed improvements in pain and function in medium term and could provide preliminary evidence of beneficial effects of quadricipital tendon dry needling in patients with jumper’s knee. Future studies are needed to clarify our results and compare dry needling with conservative treatments.