# Improvement responses in patellar tendinopathy patients treated with ultrasound‐guided galvanic electrolysis technique: A 3‐year follow‐up study

## TL;DR

This study shows that ultrasound-guided galvanic electrolysis improves patellar tendinopathy symptoms and function over 3 years, with the most improvement seen within the first 6 months.

## Contribution

The study provides long-term evidence of USGET's effectiveness in patellar tendinopathy using latent growth modeling.

## Key findings

- USGET leads to significant improvements in VISA-P, IKDC, Kujala, and Tegner scores over 3 years.
- The greatest improvement occurs within the first 6 months, followed by a steady phase.
- Positive linear trends in clinical scores were observed using latent growth linear modeling.

## Abstract

To determine the pattern changes over time in patients who experience different effects on the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Patella score (VISA‐P), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Kujala score and Tegner activity score following 3 years of follow‐up after an ultrasound‐guided galvanic electrolysis technique (USGET) intervention in patellar tendinopathy.

Fifty‐one adult patients with patellar tendinopathy were followed for 3 years after undergoing USGET. Clinical evaluations were conducted at baseline, 3‐, 6‐, 12‐, 24‐ and 36‐month postintervention, evaluating the VISA‐P, IKDC, Kujala score and Tegner activity score. The intervention was applied bimonthly for 3 months, accompanied by a biweekly standardised therapeutic exercises routine. Clinical outcomes were analysed with latent growth linear modelling (α = 5%), which assesses individual trajectories of change over time, capturing both initial status (intercepts) and rate of change (slopes) while accounting for variability across subjects.

The mean intercepts were 58.9 pts (95% confidence interval [CI]: 55.2–67.8 pts, p < 0.001), 60.0 pts (95% CI: 56.7–64.0 pts, p < 0.001), 60.9 pts (95% CI: 55.8–65.4 pts, p < 0.001) and 3.6 pts (95% CI: 2.9–5.3 pts, p < 0.001) for VISA‐P, IKDC, Kujala and Tegner activity score, respectively. The mean slopes were 6.3 pts (95% CI: 3.9–7.4 pts, p < 0.001), 5.7 pts (95% CI: 4.6–6.9 pts, p < 0.001), 5.1 pts (95% CI: 4.1–6.6 pts, p < 0.001) and 0.6 pts (95% CI: 0.4–1.0 pts, p < 0.001) for the VISA‐P, IKDC, Kujala and Tegner activity score, respectively.

USGET treatment demonstrates functionality restoration and pain decrease over time. The inflection point of clinical improvement was at 6 months, followed by a steady phase. There were positive patterns of increase in the linear slopes for VISA‐P, IKDC, Kujala score and Tegner activity score observed in latent growth linear modelling.

Level IV, case series with no comparison group.