Arteries in the area targeted with successful sclerosing injections for Achilles tendinosis are under distinct neural control

• It has been scientifically demonstrated that there are blood vessels with pathologically high blood flow inside and outside the ventral part of the Achilles tendon in chronic painful tendinosis, but not in pain-free normal Achilles tendons. Injections of local anaesthesia on the outside of the ventral part of the tendon have been found to temporarily abolish the tendon pain, and this has been an inspiration in the development of a new approach in the treatment of tendinosis: Based on ultrasound- (US) and colour Doppler- (CD) guidance, the sclerosing substance polidocanol, for many years used in treatment of varicose veins, was injected targeting the area of high-flow blood vessels just outside the ventral part of the Achilles tendon. The treatment has in pilot studies and a randomized controlled clinical study been shown to cure the pain in about 70-80 % of the patients. Also, follow up examinations, using US and CD, have shown a possible remodeling potential of the tendon. There is some previous information available on the innervation patterns of the human Achilles tendon itself. However, the innervation patterns of the area just outside the ventral part of the tendon, i.e. the area that is targeted by the sclerosing injections (target area), are unknown. This includes a lack of information concerning the nerve-related characteristics of the blood vessels in the area. In this study, therefore, tissue specimens from this target area, obtained during surgical treatment of patients with chronic painful mid-portion Achilles tendinosis, were examined. Histological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed. In the tissue of the target area, in which loose connective tissue and fat cells were frequent constituents, there was a presence of arteries and nerve fascicles. The arteries were of varying dimensions, some being very large. The nerve fascicles were distinguished in sections processed for the pan-neural marker protein gene-product 9.5 (PGP 9.5).  Some of the arteries were supplied by an extensive perivascular innervation, as seen via PGP 9.5 staining. As seen via processing for the rate limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), sympathetic innervation was found to be a constituent of this innervation. There was furthermore a marked occurrence of immunoreactions for the α1-adrenoreceptor in arterial walls. Also, there was a presence of immunoreactions for the substance P (SP)-preferred receptor, the neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor in arterial walls. This receptor was particularly detected in the endothelial parts. The study shows that the arteries in the target area are accompanied by nerve fascicles and that there is a presence of a perivascular innervation, as well as a presence of adrenergic and NK-1 receptors in arterial walls, in this region. Thus, arteries in this area are under distinct neural control. The nerve-related characteristics of the area targeted in the successful polidicanol injection treatment for Achilles tendinosis are here for the first time shown.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Fysiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Physiology (hsv//eng)

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)