Study Summary

76 patients with insertional Achilles tendinopathy were randomized to receive radial shockwave therapy or sham radial shockwave therapy. The primary outcome of interest was immediate change in movement-evoked pain measured on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) following each treatment session. Secondary outcomes included pressure pain threshold (PPT) at the affected Achilles tendon, unaffected Achilles tendon, and lateral elbow, along with pain experienced during treatment. Participants underwent three treatment sessions approximately one week apart, and all participants also received identical exercise and education programs. Outcomes were assessed immediately before and after each session. Overall, the results of the study revealed that both groups demonstrated small short-term reductions in movement-evoked pain and increases in PPT. Radial shockwave therapy was not superior to sham treatment at any session. These findings suggest that radial shockwave therapy does not provide clinically meaningful immediate pain relief in insertional Achilles tendinopathy beyond placebo related effects.​