[Extracorporeal shockwave therapy in the treatment of chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for the treatment of adults with chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy.


METHODS
68 patients with chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy were enrolled in this study. A total of 35 patients were treated with a single dose of ESWT (3000 shocks of 0.20 mJ/mm(2), ESWT group), while 33 patients were treated with traditional non-operative measures (control group).


RESULTS
At 3 months post treatment, the mean VAS for the control and ESWT groups were 2.9 and 7.2 respectively. Using the Roles and Maudsley scale, 39% of the control patients and 51% of the ESWT patients were assigned an excellent or good result.


CONCLUSIONS
ESWT as applied is a safe and effective treatment for chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy.
Furia
J P
JP
Orthopedic Consultant, Bucknell University, SUN Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Lewisburg. jfuria@sunortho.com
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000628:therapy*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome