PhD defence T.S.O. (Tjerk) Sleeswijk Visser

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:

This thesis explores the impact of Achilles tendinopathy (AT), a condition affecting the Achilles tendon, and investigates ways to improve diagnosis and treatment. Achilles tendinopathy can significantly affect a person's quality of life, especially in terms of mobility, daily activities, and pain. It also has a financial impact due to healthcare costs and reduced work productivity.

The research aimed to create a standard set of outcome measures for AT to help healthcare professionals better assess and treat patients. These include a specific questionnaire and tests to measure pain and calf muscle strength. The thesis also introduced a tool to help healthcare providers monitor recovery and guide rehabilitation based on personalized data.

In terms of diagnosis, the study found that most patients could accurately pinpoint their pain, which aligned well with doctors' diagnoses. Ultrasound imaging was shown to be a reliable method for measuring tendon thickness, which is important for diagnosing AT.

The research also highlighted that people with lower socioeconomic status tend to have worse outcomes after treatment for AT. This finding suggests that healthcare providers should consider a patient’s socioeconomic background when planning treatment.

Overall, this thesis provides valuable insights into the impact of Achilles tendinopathy and offers new tools and recommendations for improving diagnosis and treatment, particularly for patients who may be at higher risk of poor outcomes.