Correlation between Clinical Outcome Following Ultrasound-guided Steroid Injection in Retrocalcaneal Bursa and Preprocedural MRI Findings in Different Grades of Achilles Tendinitis

ABSTRACT

Chronic posterior heel or ankle pain most commonly results from the pathology of the Achilles tendon, its insertion into the calcaneum, or the two associated bursae. Achilles tendinitis or tendinopathy, a very common clinical syndrome, primarily resulting from overuse injuries is often associated with retrocalcaneal bursitis. The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of ultrasound-guided steroid injection at retrocalcaneal bursa in cases of Achilles tendinitis and to correlate its clinical outcome with preprocedural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) grading. Sixty-nine patients with clinically and MRI proven Achilles tendinitis were included in the study. MRI findings of tendinitis were graded according to severity. Each patient received an ultrasound-guided injection of 40 mg of methylprednisolone and 1–2 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine into the retrocalcaneal bursa. The outcome was determined and was evaluated in relation to the preprocedural MRI findings. Fifty-seven patients reported at least some relief of symptoms after a follow-up period of 6 months while 12 patients showed no improvement. Shorter duration of symptoms and minor grade MRI findings were associated with complete resolution. Ultrasound-guided steroid injection in retrocalcaneal bursa may be of benefit in the short-term management of clinically and MRI proven Achilles tendinitis.

How to cite this article

Khatua DK, Middya AK. Correlation between Clinical Outcome Following Ultrasound-guided Steroid Injection in Retrocalcaneal Bursa and Preprocedural MRI Findings in Different Grades of Achilles Tendinitis. Indian J Phys Med Rehab 2020;31(3):53–56.