Is Shockwave Therapy Superior To Sham For Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy At 12 Weeks ?
Does shockwave therapy lead to better pain and function than sham over 12 weeks in people with insertional Achilles tendinopathy? A randomised controlled trial.
Clin Rehabil . 2025 Feb;39(2):174-186.Seventy-six patients with insertional Achilles tendinopathy were randomized to receive three sessions of radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy (n=38) or sham therapy (n=38), alongside identical education and exercise. The primary outcome was the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment–Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included worst pain (VAS), physical activity, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, pain self-efficacy, and quality of life. Outcomes were assessed at 6 and 12 weeks. Overall, the results revealed no significant between-group differences in primary or secondary outcomes at either time point. These findings suggest that shockwave therapy does not provide additional benefit over sham when combined with exercise and education in this population.
Unlock the Full ACE Report
You have access to 4 more FREE articles this month.
Click below to unlock and view this ACE Reports
Unlock Now
Critical appraisals of the latest, high-impact randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews in orthopaedics
Access to OrthoEvidence podcast content, including collaborations with the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, interviews with internationally recognized surgeons, and roundtable discussions on orthopaedic news and topics
Subscription to The Pulse, a twice-weekly evidence-based newsletter designed to help you make better clinical decisions
Exclusive access to original content articles, including in-house systematic reviews, and articles on health research methods and hot orthopaedic topics
Or upgrade today and gain access to all OrthoEvidencecontent for as little as $1.99 per week.
Already have an account? Log in
0 of 4 monthly FREE articles unlocked
