Physical Activity and Investigation With Magnetic Resonance Imaging Partly Explain Variability in the Prevalence of Patellar Tendon Abnormalities: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis of Imaging Studies in Asymptomatic Individuals

• Published in: The journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy 2021-05, Vol.51 (5), p.216-231
• Main Authors: Docking, Sean Iain, Rio, Ebonie, Girdwood, Michael Alan, Hannington, Madeline Claire, Cook, Jill L, Culvenor, Adam G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0190-6011; 1938-1344
• DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2021.10054

To estimate the pooled prevalence of, and factors associated with, the presence of patellar tendon abnormalities observed on imaging in people without symptoms. Systematic review with stratified meta-analysis and meta-regression. We searched Embase, Scopus, MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science from 1980 to August 2020. We included studies that reported the prevalence of asymptomatic patellar tendon abnormalities on imaging. We excluded studies of participants with current tendon pain, a history of tendon pain, or other systemic conditions. Stratification and meta-regression of studies based on study-level descriptive statistics (mean age, body mass index, proportion of female participants, physical activity participation, imaging modality) were performed using a random-effects model to account for between-study heterogeneity. Risk of bias was assessed using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Meta-analysis of 64 studies (7125 limbs from 4616 participants) found significant between-study heterogeneity (I ≥90%,