The primary purpose of this study is to assess the safety profile of RCT-01 injections as compared to placebo injections. This study will also measure the impact these injections will have on tendon structure and function and the symptoms of Achilles tendinosis. 28 participants will be selected for this study based on their health status, current/past medications, and ability to adhere to protocol-related requirements. Prior to entering the screening phase of the study, all potential study participants will have had to have at least 3 months of therapy for their unilateral, chronic (symptoms \>6 months) Achilles tendinosis directed by a certified physiotherapist without a clinical response. At the first visit and after providing informed consent participants are evaluated against the study inclusion/exclusion criteria and provide blood samples for screening assessments (including virology). If suitable for study participation, participants will provide a biopsy from the scalp from which RCT-01 will be prepared. Baseline evaluations of participants' overall health and tendinosis, in particular, will be performed on the day of injection. Once all baseline assessments have been completed, the tendon to be treated will be anesthetized and will receive ultrasound-guided injections of either placebo (cryomedium) or RCT-01. All participants will return to the clinic for repeat assessments of their unilateral Achilles tendinosis and overall health at seven (7) visits over the following 6 months. Participants will also complete an eccentric training physiotherapy program under the guidance of a certified physiotherapist for two (2) months after receipt of injections. Total duration of patient participation is approximately eight (8) months.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
8
Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Incidence of adverse events
Comparison of the safety profile between RCT-01/placebo treatment groups. The safety profile is defined by the incidence, relationship to treatment, severity and seriousness of adverse events.
Time frame: 6 months post-injection
Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment - Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire
Time frame: 6 months post-injection
Visual analog scale (VAS)
pain on palpation and pain on loading (running/jumping)
Time frame: 6 months post-injection
Modified Tegner Activity Scale
Time frame: 6 months post-injection
SF-36 questionnaire
quality of life questionnaire
Time frame: 6 months post-injection
Tendon condition (appearance, biomechanics, and blood flow)
Ultrasound imaging will be utilized to measure: echogenicity, hyperemia or neovascularisation, anechoic regions/intratendinous tears, intratendinous calcification, any irregularities to the cortical bone at insertion, and tendon thickness
Time frame: 6 months post-injection
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