Managing Chronic Tendon Pain by Repurposing Metformin
The purpose of the current exploratory clinical trial is to determine the effect of oral ingestion of metformin (OIM) in non-diabetic patients with chronic Achilles tendon pain. The trial has two aims; 1) to assess the effects of OIM treatment on tendon pain, and 2) to determine the effects of OIM capsules on tendon healing and repair. Twenty participants will be treated with metformin capsules for 16 weeks combined with a home exercise program. A comparison group of 20 participants will be treated with placebo tablets along with home exercise program.
• Willing and able to provide informed consent for participation
• Clinical diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy
• Pain disability index score of between 20 - 70 points (0-100 scale VISA-A)
• Sonopalpation tenderness with tendon thickening and/or loss of fibrillary architecture.
• Ability to read, speak, and understand English