Recruiting PHASE3 Achilles Tendinopathy (AT)

New treatment option for Achilles Tendinopathy (AT)

Official title The ASPIRE Trial: AchilleS tendinoPathy Treated With cortIcosteRoid injEctions

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07650396

What this study is testing

What is Depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate 40 mg) combined with lidocaine?

Depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate 40 mg) combined with lidocaine is an investigational medicine, given as an injectable medicine, being studied as a potential treatment for achilles tendinopathy (at).

Also referred to as Drug: Methylprednisolone acetate 40 mg + Lidocaine 10 mg, Depo-Medrol + Lidocaine.

Plain-language explanation of the investigational treatment - it is being studied and is not an approved or proven therapy. The study team can confirm the details.

What it's testing
Achilles tendinopathy is a common and often persistent tendon disorder associated with pain, impaired function, and reduced participation in physical activities. Standard care consists of education, load management advice, and progressive calf-strengthening exercises, yet about half of patients remain symptomatic.
  • Phase 3: a large, late-stage study
  • Time commitment: about 1 year
  • You might receive a placebo (an inactive treatment) instead of the study drug, decided by chance. You may not know which one you got.

A plain-language read of the study's public ClinicalTrials.gov listing. The study team confirms the details.

Who can take part

Ages 18 to 65

You may be able to join if

  • Age 18-65 years
  • Clinically diagnosed midportion Achilles tendinopathy confirmed by ultrasound
  • Symptoms for at least 6 months
  • Persistent complaints despite standard care, including education, load management advice and at least 3 months of exercise therapy / exercise...

You likely can't join if

  • Clinical suspicion of insertional Achilles tendinopathy
  • Clinical suspicion of Achilles tendon rupture
  • Clinical suspicion of plantar flexor tenosynovitis
  • Clinical suspicion of sural nerve pathology
  • Clinical suspicion of peroneal tendon subluxation or peroneal tendinopathy
  • Clinical suspicion of posterior ankle impingement syndrome
See the full eligibility criteria
Who can join
  • Age 18-65 years
  • Clinically diagnosed midportion Achilles tendinopathy confirmed by ultrasound
  • Symptoms for at least 6 months
  • Persistent complaints despite standard care, including education, load management advice and at least 3 months of exercise therapy / exercise programme
What rules you out
  • Clinical suspicion of insertional Achilles tendinopathy
  • Clinical suspicion of Achilles tendon rupture
  • Clinical suspicion of plantar flexor tenosynovitis
  • Clinical suspicion of sural nerve pathology
  • Clinical suspicion of peroneal tendon subluxation or peroneal tendinopathy
  • Clinical suspicion of posterior ankle impingement syndrome
  • Suspected systemic/inflammatory disorder as cause of symptoms
  • Any condition preventing participation in active exercise programme
  • History of Achilles tendon rupture of index tendon
  • Previous local corticosteroid injection on index Achilles tendon
  • Previous surgery on index Achilles tendon
  • Refusal to undergo one of the study treatments
  • Local skin infection, suspected systemic infection with fever, or other medical condition compromising injection safety
  • Vitamin K antagonist use with INR \>3.0 within 3 days before injection or unknown INR
  • Current pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Medication-induced tendon pathology (quinolones or statins related to symptom onset)
  • Inability to provide informed consent
  • Participation in another concomitant treatment programme for Achilles tendinopathy
  • Known hypersensitivity or allergy to Depo-Medrol or Lidocaine
  • Participants with unstable or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus may be excluded at investigator discretion for safety reasons.

The study team makes the final eligibility decision.

Where it's taking place

  • Rotterdam, Netherlands

Questions & answers

Do participants get paid in this trial?

This listing doesn't specify compensation. Many trials still reimburse travel or offer a stipend, so it's worth asking the study team when you connect.

Is it free to join, and do I need insurance?

Searching and applying through BridgeMD is free. In clinical trials the study-related treatment and visits are generally provided at no cost to you. You usually don't need insurance to take part - confirm specifics with the study team.

How long does this study last?

The study runs about 1 year per participant, based on its public description. The team confirms the exact schedule and number of visits before you enroll.

Who can join this trial?

This study is enrolling all sexes, 18 years to 65 years. The study team makes the final eligibility decision.

Where is this trial taking place?

Study sites include Rotterdam, Netherlands. Enter your location above to see the nearest site and check your eligibility.

Explore other conditions

BridgeMD is an information and trial-matching tool - not medical advice, and not the study sponsor. Details come from ClinicalTrials.gov; the study team decides eligibility.