Ultrasound examination and patellar tendinopathy scores in asymptomatic college jumpers

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of hypoechoic areas by US and its' association with VISA-P scores among asymptomatic jumpers while highlighting sex comparisons.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Pre-participation exam at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) division I college.

Participants: Thirty-one college athletes who engage in jumping sports.

Main outcome measures: Hypoechoic images of patellar tendon captured by ultrasound examination were compared to a self-reported knee functional survey, the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment for patellar tendinopathy (VISA-P) scale (0-100).

Results: With a total of 31 athletes (13 males and 18 females), prevalence rate of the hypoechoic areas of patellar tendon was 19.4% (6/31) in the right knee and 29.0% (9/31) in the left knee. There was no proportional difference in a comparison of prevalence rate of hypoechoic area [(+) or (-)] by sex in either right or left knee. The VISA-P scores were significantly lower in US (+) than US (-) in the right knee (p = 0.003, Cohen's d = 1.675), but not the left knee (p = 0.250, Cohen's d = 0.512). The receiver operating characteristics curve analysis indicated the most sensitive and specific VISA-P values based on status [(+) or (-)] of hypoechoic area was 89.5 with 86.4% and 77.7% of sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion: In short, hypoechoic areas were detected by US examination among self-reported asymptomatic jumpers. There was an association between hypoechoic areas and VISA-P scores in the right knee, but not in left knee. VISA-P scores may be used as a screening tool for the presence of hypoechoic areas.