CPD

• Achilles tendinopathy is not primarily an inflammatory condition; treatment with rest, ice and anti-inflammatories is not an effective long-term solution.
• The clinical presentation of Achilles tendinopathy is caused by a change in load, which can be subtle or obvious; it is critical to identify this load change so the load can be ameliorated to reduce symptoms.
• Imaging and palpation tenderness are not diagnostic of Achilles tendinopathy; reproduction of pain on loading tests are the best indicators.
• Exercised-based treatment is the gold standard but can take weeks to months to return the person to full activity.

Keeping LDL-C levels lower throughout life can help substantially reduce CVD risk.¹ GPs play an essential role in identifying patients at risk of CVD and managing their treatment.² This includes prescribing lipid-lowering medicines for people at high risk of CVD.³ Although for most patients, elevated lipids can be assessed and managed effectively by GPs, there are some groups of patients who may benefit from referral to a specialist.⁴ These include patients whose total cholesterol is more than 7.5mmol/L, patients who fail to show an effective response to second-line treatment and those with familial hypercholesterolaemia.⁴