Shear Wave Elastography to assess Pathology of Tendons (SWEPT) V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Observational study to assess the reliability and validity of shear wave elastography in the evaluation of normal and diseased tendons
IRAS ID
326890
Contact name
Richard Wakefield
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) is an emerging imaging technique that uses ultrasound to generate shear waves to determine the stiffness of the tissue. This technique is increasingly used in the medical field on breast and liver imaging; however, its use in musculoskeletal structures, such as muscles and tendons are still relatively new and developing. This is mainly because the mechanical properties of musculoskeletal tissues are more complex and subject to mechanical load and stress than those of other tissue. Despite these challenges, there is growing interest in using elastography to assess muscle and tendon stiffness as it can provide vital information about their health and function.
Tendons are susceptible to injury, degeneration, inflammation and mechanical stress and changes in their mechanical properties can indicate early signs of pathology. Researchers can gain insights into tendon stiffness using SWE which is particularly helpful in the diagnosis and management of tendon pathology.
This research will explore the reliability of SWE values across a range of technical and procedural settings and identify the most accurate methods for assessing tendon stiffness. We will investigate the relationship between tendon stiffness and demographic factors such as (age, gender, BMI, and physical activity levels). Additionally, we will evaluate SWE's diagnostic ability to differentiate between tendons of healthy participant in comparison to tendon stiffness of participants diagnosed with rheumatic diseases i) Spondyloarthritis, ii) Fibromyalgia, iii) Hypermobility and iv) Giant Cell Arteritis. This trial is Sponsored by the University of Leeds and coordinated by the Leeds Institute of Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Medicine at Chapel Allerton Hospital. The study will last two years, and the participants will be required a single visit. Participants will undergo Ultrasound scan of tendons; shoulder (Supraspinatus tendon), Elbow (Lateral epicondyle common extensor tendon), Knee (Patellar tendon), and Leg (Achilles tendon).REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/PR/1001
Date of REC Opinion
26 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion