Interdisciplinary Faculty Team Awarded Research Grant for Achilles Tendinopathy Treatment

A collaborative team of researchers from the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University, the UNC School of Medicine’s Department of Orthopaedics, and the University of Delaware has received a $3 million R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The project will investigate the structure and interaction of Achilles subtendons and how they influence treatment outcomes for patients with Achilles tendinopathy.

The study is co-led by Dr. Stephanie Cone, assistant professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Delaware, and Dr. Jason Franz, professor in the Lampe Joint Department. Additional contributors include Dr. Geoffrey Handsfield, assistant professor of Biomedical Engineering and Orthopaedics at UNC-Chapel Hill, and Dr. Karin Silbernagel, professor of Physical Therapy at the University of Delaware.

Achilles tendinopathy is a painful, mobility-limiting condition marked by inflammation and stiffness in the tendon that connects the heel bone to the calf muscles. Although exercise therapy remains the leading treatment approach, recurrence occurs in nearly half of patients. Because the Achilles tendon connects three muscles in a highly variable anatomical structure, these individual differences may contribute to inconsistent treatment results.

To address this challenge, the team will combine biomechanical sensors and advanced medical imaging to model how subtendon structure varies across individuals. Their findings will deepen understanding of Achilles tendon anatomy and guide the development of personalized treatment strategies, ultimately improving recovery outcomes for patients affected by this debilitating condition.