Achilles tendinopothy and patellar tendinopathy.: Results of radial shockwave therapy in patients with unsuccessfully treated tendinoses

This is the first prospective pilot study performed to evaluate the effect of radial shockwave therapy on patients suffering from unsuccessfully pretreated Achilles tendinosis or patellar tendinosis (jumper's knee). 40 Achilles tendons (Achilles tendinosis) and 45 patellar tendons (jumper's knee) were treated 3 - 5 times by radial shockwave therapy in a one-week interval setting. Results show significant effects regarding pain at rest, tenderness, load-induced pain, pain threshold and for the pain-free running time already one-week after the end of the treatment. At the one-year follow up results are even better. Radial shockwave therapy therefore seems to be an effective treatment modality for this running and jumping induced degenerative tendon lesions. Controlled and randomized trials are mandatory to give further evidence of this effect.