Managing Achilles Pain II

Although some people are more at risk than others, developing a painful Achilles tendon (known as Achilles tendinopathy) can affect anyone. It is a common and disabling condition affecting walking, running and work. To reduce the pain and disability, exercise is a commonly used treatment by physiotherapists. However, success varies. This is why the proposed research is needed, to identify the factors that predict changes in pain and disability from treatment with a physiotherapist. The investigators' previous research suggests the working relationship or 'alliance' between the physiotherapist and patient, the patient's expectations, and the patient's confidence to carry out exercise might be important, but further research is needed to determine this. The investigators have designed a multi-centre, longitudinal cohort study to assess whether working alliance, patient expectations of treatment success, and confidence to perform exercise (self-efficacy) predict changes in pain and disability from a treatment programme prescribed by a physiotherapist for Achilles tendinopathy at twelve weeks. Patients, diagnosed with Achilles tendinopathy by their treating physiotherapist, will be introduced to the study through a verbal discussion and provided with details of the study's website (www.managing-achilles-pain.com). The website provides password protected information (the participant information sheet, consent form and a questionnaire measuring clinical outcomes and the predictive factors). The participant is asked to complete the questionnaire on three occasions; baseline, six weeks later and twelve weeks after baseline.