Heel Pain in Adolescents: A Pilot Study on the Effectiveness of Exercise Therapy and Activity Modification

The VISA-A was specifically designed to assess symptom severity in individuals with Achilles tendinopathy and has demonstrated validity, reliability and responsiveness. Scores range from 0-100, where a higher score indicates less pain and symptoms with activity. This outcome measure has been used in previous trials with adolescents.

The PROMIS Pain Interference Scale assesses symptom severity and pain with daily activity. Raw scores range from 8-40, where lower scores indicate less pain interference.

Ultrasound images will be obtained using the LOGIQ e Ultrasound (GE Healthcare) system using a wide-band linear array probe (5.0-13.0 MHz). The subject will be prone lying with the hips and knees straight and the ankles hanging outside the treatment table. Three longitudinal images where the calcaneal insertion and as much of the tendon is visible will be saved. Three extended field of view images of the tendon between the insertion to the calcaneus and the start of the soleus muscle will be saved. Longitudinal and cross-sectional images will be taken at the area of tenderness to palpation on the injured side and at the same position on the contralateral side. These images will be used to evaluate tendon thickening, cross-sectional area, and the occurrence of hypoechoic areas.

Subjects will be examined using continuous shear wave elastography (cSWE). This is a non-invasive technique that uses a low-amplitude vibration to mechanically perturbate the tendon. The resultant shear wave is imaged using ultrasound. The area of maximum tendon pathology will be identified using palpation and B mode ultrasound imaging. The distance from calcaneal insertion to this area will be measured to allow for identification of a comparable location on the asymptomatic side as well as to ensure the same area is assessed at each follow-up. The ultrasound probe for cSWE will be placed at this location and the actuator will be placed just proximal to the ultrasound probe.

Muscle-tendon function will be assessed by a functional test battery including a single-leg counter movement jump (CMJ), a single-leg drop CMJ, single-leg hopping, and the heel-rise endurance test. For jump tests, the jump height for three trials will be recorded using a light mat (MuscleLab®, Ergotest Innovations, Porsgrunn, Norway). The drop CMJ jump is performed on single leg by jumping from a 20cm high box, landing, and immediately jumping up for maximum height. Hopping is similar or jumping rope on one foot; two trials of 20 hops will be recorded using a light mat to calculate hop frequency, average height, and plyometric quotient (flight time / contact time). The heel-rise endurance test is a single-leg standing heel-rise test. The heel-rise test for endurance is performed on one leg at a time with the participant standing on a box with an incline of 10°. A metronome is used to maintain the frequency of 30 heel-rises per minute.

Compliance will be tracked using training diaries. The number of training diaries and prescribed exercise sessions completed, and days in adherence with activity modification guidelines will be recorded. Compliance rates will be reported as a percentage, relative to the participants duration of participation in the study.

The PROMIS Pediatric Global Health questionnaire will be used to assess self-reported impact of injury on mental and physical health. Raw scores range from 7-35, where higher scores indicate higher physical and mental health.

The PROMIS Pediatric Physical Activity Short Form questionnaire will be used to assess self-reported capability over a 7 day period. Raw scores range from 8-40, where a higher score indicates higher physical activity levels.

Three subscales from The Foot and Ankle Outcomes Score (FAOS) will be used to measure foot and ankle-related quality of life (FOAS-QoL), symptoms (FAOS-S), and function in sport and recreation. Each subscale ranges from 0-100, where higher scores indicate better outcomes.

The Fear of Pain Questionnaire Child Report (FOBQC) will assess fear of pain and avoidance of activities. Scores range from 0-96, where 0-34 indicates low fear and 51-96 indicates high fear.

The Global Rating of Change (GROC) scale, will be used to measure their satisfaction and perceived recovery of their child using a 10-point likert respectively ranging from -5 to +5 indicating a range between "not satisfied" to "very satisfied" and "much worse" to "much improved".

PROMIS Parent Proxy Pain Intensity will assess symptom severity from the parent's perspective. Parents are asked to rate their child's pain at it's worst on a scale of 0-10, where 0 is "no pain" and 10 is "worst pain imaginable".

The PROMIS Parent Proxy Pain Interference Scale assesses symptom severity and pain with daily activity from the parent's perspective. Raw scores range from 8-40, where lower scores indicate less pain interference.

The PROMIS Parent Proxy Global Health questionnaire will assess the parent's perspective on the participant's mental and physical health. Raw scores range from 7-35, where higher scores indicate higher physical and mental health.

The PROMIS Parent Proxy Physical Activity form will be used to assess parent-reported capability of their child's physical activities over a 7 day period. Raw scores range from 4-20, where a higher score indicates higher physical activity level.

The Fear of Pain Questionnaire Parent Report (FOBQP) is a parent inventory to assess child pain-related fears. Scores range from 0-96, where 0-34 indicates low fear and 51-96 indicates high fear.

Ankle range of motion in non-weight bearing and weight bearing positions will be measured with a goniometer.