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Pain assessment in patellar tendinopathy using pain pressure threshold algometry: an observational study
Jeroen Kregel1, Cornelis Paul van Wilgen, Johannes Zwerver
1Department of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Pain Medicine (Malden, Mass.)
|June 28, 2013
Summary
Pain pressure threshold (PPT) algometry offers a standardized method for assessing pain in athletes with patellar tendinopathy (PT). A PPT cut-off of 36.8 N effectively distinguishes athletes with PT from healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Pain Management
Background:
- Assessing pain in patellar tendinopathy (PT) lacks standardization.
- Pain pressure threshold (PPT) algometry is a potential tool for objective pain measurement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To standardize pain assessment in athletes with PT using PPT algometry.
- To establish normative PPT values for clinical application in PT.
Main Methods:
- An observational study included 114 athletes with PT and 120 healthy controls.
- Pain was measured using PPT algometry, the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patellar Tendinopathy questionnaire, and a visual analog scale.
- Statistical analysis involved the Mann-Whitney U-test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.
Main Results:
- Athletes with PT exhibited significantly lower PPT scores compared to healthy athletes (P < 0.001).
- An optimal PPT cut-off of 36.8 N was identified to differentiate between PT athletes and controls (Area under ROC curve = 0.98).
- A PPT below 36.8 N indicated a 96.5% probability of having PT.
Conclusions:
- PPT algometry is a valuable and standardized tool for pain assessment in athletes with PT.
- A PPT threshold of 36.8 N can reliably distinguish athletes with PT from healthy athletes.
