Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for refractory Achilles tendinopathy: A prospective audit with 2-year follow up. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taylor, James; Dunkerley, Sarah; Silver, David; Redfern, Andrew; Talbot, Nick; Sharpe, Ian; Guyver, Paul
• Is Part Of: Foot. Volume 26(2016)
• Page Start: 23
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: Achilles tendon -- Conservative management -- ESWL (extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy) -- ESWT (extracorporeal shockwave treatment) -- Tendinopathy; Foot -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Foot -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Foot Diseases -- Periodicals; Foot -- surgery -- Periodicals; Pied -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Pied -- Chirurgie -- Périodiques; Pied -- Lésions et blessures -- Périodiques; Foot -- Diseases; Foot -- Surgery; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 617.585005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foot.2015.08.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-2592

Abstract

Highlights: ESWT appears to improve pain and function in patients with refractory Achilles tendinopathy. ESWT should be considered when other conservative measures have failed. ESWT should be used with ongoing access to other conservative treatments. Abstract: Background: Achilles tendinopathy (AT) represents a triad of tendon pain, swelling and impaired performance. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for refractory AT. This audit investigates the long-term outcomes of patients treated with ESWT for refractory AT. Methods: Forty-six patients treated with ESWT for AT between October 2010 and August 2011 completed visual analogue, satisfaction scores and functional assessment questionnaires over two years. Patients were subdivided into two groups depending on whether their AT was insertional (IAT) or non-insertional (NAT). Results: Forty-six patients (mean age 58 years) completed all treatments and full 2 year follow up. There was significant improvement in pain at rest, on activity and of function within both NAT and IAT groups over the two-year period. Satisfaction scores were significant in the NAT group but not in the IAT group. Conclusions: ESWT appears to be of benefit in the long term improvement of pain at rest, on activity and functional outcome in patients with refractory AT. However, subjective patient opinion may not match the perceived clinical outcome observed in this audit in all patients and individuals should be counselled regarding this prior to treatment.