An Achilles injury instills profound fear in athletes. The lifetime occurrence of Achilles tendinopathy among athletes is approximately 24%. Surprisingly, it’s not limited to sports and affects inactive individuals too, with an estimated 5 to 10 per 100,000 people in the general population being impacted. Shockwave therapy for Achilles tendinopathy offers a drug-free, non-invasive treatment option, bringing hope for those affected by this condition.
How do we treat Achilles tendinopathy?
Treating Achilles tendinopathy typically involves physiotherapy, which often resolves most issues within 6-12 weeks, particularly in chronic cases. Research suggests incorporating heavy slow resistance training for the calf muscle and Achilles tendon for longer-lasting results. In cases where rehabilitation and physiotherapy do not yield improvement, adjunct treatments like shockwave therapy or ultrasound-guided injections may be considered.
Rhein Laser’s Swave-200 Shockwave therapy machine offers a non-invasive method for managing insertional Achilles pain. While ultrasound-guided injections have a role in certain Achilles complaints, they are usually reserved for challenging cases that have not responded to physiotherapy and shockwave therapy.
How does shockwave therapy for Achilles tendinopathy work?
Shockwave therapy targets the Achilles tendon with acoustic waves to reduce pain and increase blood flow, speeding up healing.
A handheld device is used on the lubricated skin, similar to ultrasound. High-energy acoustic waves create controlled microtrauma, triggering the body’s natural healing process. This promotes blood vessel growth, nutrient delivery, and tissue repair, which reduces pain and inflammation. Multiple sessions, typically spaced a week apart, give the best results.
When combined with physical therapy, shockwave therapy is effective for Achilles tendinopathy, even when other treatments have failed. It can often avoid the need for surgery. It’s also successful in treating plantar fasciitis, with support from numerous high-quality clinical trials.
Does the research support its use for Achilles tendinopathy?
A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery compared shockwave therapy and eccentric loading for treating chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy. The researchers conducted a randomized, controlled trial.
The study involved 50 patients who had chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy. These patients had not responded to three months of treatments, such as physiotherapy, local injections of anesthetics and/or corticosteroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The participants were randomly divided into two groups. One group received eccentric loading treatment, while the other underwent shockwave therapy. Pain, function, and activity were the outcome measures.
The results showed that the shockwave therapy group had significantly better outcomes. After four months, 66% of the shockwave therapy group fully recovered or showed significant improvement. In comparison, only 24% in the eccentric loading group showed similar progress. Additionally, 18 out of 25 patients in the eccentric loading group chose to switch to shockwave therapy after four months.
Integrating Shockwave Therapy into your practice
By incorporating this innovative technique, you can provide your patients with a highly effective, evidence-based alternative for managing Achilles tendinopathy. The treatment promotes blood flow, aids tissue repair, and reduces inflammation, making it a valuable addition to your therapeutic options. With proven success in clinical trials and positive patient feedback, Shockwave Therapy can help your practice accelerate patient recovery from Achilles tendinopathy while boosting your revenue.