Understanding the interplay between tendon structure and muscle function to optimize tendon strain for better treatment of Achilles tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy is one of the most common foot and ankle
overuse injuries. Up to 40% of the patients do not recover from
Achilles tendinopathy. Although, Achilles tendinopathy is a
multifactorial process, repetitive mechanical loading of the Achilles
tendon plays a crucial role in the development and recovery of
tendinopathy. There is strong evidence for altered tendon structure
and muscle function in Achilles tendinopathy. Both factors influence
the mechanical loading of the tendon. Although it is known that
appropriate loading during the sport and rehabilitation programs is
crucial; little evidence exists about tendon strain during these
exercises and the influence of altered tendon structure and muscle
function on tendon strain. It is therefore crucial that exercises are
adequately tuned to account for these altered structure and function
in order to design a training or rehabilitation protocol that delivers the
optimal stimulus for tendon adaptation and avoids under- or
overloading the tendon. The projects aims to get a better insight in
the changed tendon structure and muscle function on tendon loading
in Achilles tendinopathy in order to determine optimal training and
rehabilitation programs.