High-Volume Image-Guided Injection for Recalcitrant Patellar Tendinopathy in Athletes

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of high-volume image-guided injection in the middle term in patients with recalcitrant patellar tendinopathy. DESIGN: Case series study; Level of evidence, 4. SETTING: All tertiary referrals, public, and private healthcare. PATIENTS: Forty-four patients (41 men and 3 women) with diagnosis of recalcitrant patellar tendinopathy were included. INTERVENTION: Tendon injection of a mixture of 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride, 62 500 international units of aprotinin, and 40 mL of normal saline solution. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-patellar tendon (VISA-P), visual analogue scale, and Roles and Maudsley were assessed at baseline and at the last follow-up. RESULTS: The baseline VISA-P score of 46 ± 18.2 (range, 28-75) improved to 75.3 ± 19.2 (range, 68-100) by 15 months (P = 0.003). The mean pain visual analogue scale changed from 91 mm (range, 66-92 mm) before the injection to 28 mm (2-52 mm) (P = 0.01). Of 32 physically active patients, 23 (72%) had returned to sport at the same level practiced before the onset of symptoms. Thirty-five of the 44 patients (80%) rated their condition as good or excellent. CONCLUSIONS: High-volume injection at the interface between the deep surface of the patellar tendon and Hoffa body improves in the short-term symptoms and function of the knee. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This procedure is minimally invasive, safe, and effective in the short term in athletes.