Toes-Out training may ease stubborn achilles pain

NCT ID NCT07623408

Symptom relief Sponsor: KU Leuven Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looks at whether doing a 12-week exercise program with your feet turned outward (toes-out) helps people with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy more than the usual neutral-foot position. About 60 adults aged 18–65 with Achilles pain will be followed for 6 months. Researchers will measure tendon movement, pain, and function using ultrasound and simple tests like heel raises and hopping.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 60 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Feb 2026

Expected to finish

Aug 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 65 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

The following inclusion criteria will be used: PATIENTS WITH ACHILLES TENDINOPATHY: * Voluntary written Informed consent of the participant or their legally authorized representative has been obtained prior to any screening procedures. * Age between 18 and 65 years old * BMI between 18.5-30 * Showing history of intermittent episodes of Achilles tendon pain lasting more than 3 consecutive weeks within the past 6 months. * Presenting palpable focal thickening of the Achilles tendon. * Having pain originating from the Achilles tendon on palpation of thickened tendon and on loading activities (such as running, jumping). * Showing sonographic evidence of tendinopathy, i.e. focal thickening and hypoechocity, consistent with previously reported sonographic characteristics diagnosed of tendinopathy. Prior to start of the data collection, these inclusion criteria (specifically the ones concerning Achilles Tendinopathy presence) will be checked by a medical doctor at SMAC (Sports medical advisory centre Leuven). Only if they confirm the diagnosis, patients are included in the study.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

disease of the tendon

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Achilles tendinopathy (AT)

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.

Toes-Out training may ease stubborn achilles pain

What the study statuses mean