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 is a targeted approach that applies acoustic waves directly to the Achilles tendon to alleviate pain and boost blood flow, expediting the healing process.
The treatment involves using a handheld device on the lubricated skin, akin to ultrasound, where high-energy acoustic waves create controlled microtrauma. This prompts the body’s natural healing response, leading to increased blood vessel formation, nutrient delivery, and tissue repair, effectively reducing pain and inflammation. Multiple sessions, typically spaced a week apart, yield the best results.
When combined with physical therapy and other modalities, shockwave therapy proves highly effective for Achilles tendinopathy, even when conservative methods have failed, often avoiding the need for surgery. It’s also successful in treating plantar fasciitis, supported by evidence from numerous high-quality randomized clinical trials.
Does the research support its use for Achilles tendinopathy?
Yes. In a study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, researchers conducted a randomized, controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of shockwave therapy and eccentric loading in treating chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy.
The study involved 50 patients with chronic and stubborn insertional Achilles tendinopathy who had not responded to three months of various treatments, including physiotherapy, local injections of anesthetic and/or corticosteroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Randomly divided into two groups, one group received eccentric loading treatment while the other underwent shockwave therapy. Pain, function, and activity were assessed as outcome measures.
The results showed that the shockwave therapy group achieved significantly better outcomes for all measures. After four months of treatment, 66% of the shockwave therapy group either fully recovered or experienced significant improvement, in contrast to only 24% in the eccentric loading group. Moreover, 18 out of 25 patients in the eccentric loading group opted to switch to shockwave therapy after four months.
Integrating Shockwave Therapy for Achilles tendinopathy into your practice
By incorporating this innovative technique, you can offer your patients a highly effective and evidence-based alternative for managing Achilles tendinopathy. The treatment’s ability to promote blood flow, tissue repair, and reduce inflammation makes it a valuable addition to your therapeutic arsenal. With its proven success in clinical trials and positive patient responses, Shockwave Therapy can empower your practice to help patients recover faster from Achilles tendinopathy and increase your revenues more easily.