Achilles tendinopathy: Comparison between shockwave and ultrasound therapy

Abstract

Introduction: People suffering from Achilles tendinopathy exhibit pain and reduced mobility of the involved tendon. Pain and limited functionality negatively affect their life quality. Aims: The aim of the present study was to compare the efficiency of radial shockwave therapy and therapeutic ultrasound in improving pain, functionality of lower limbs and life quality in patients suffering from Achilles tendinopathy. Methodology: From the total sample of 130 patients who suffered from Achilles tendinopathy, 65 constituted the shockwave intervention group, 52 the ultrasound group and 13 the control group. A questionnaire was used to evaluate pain intensity, functionality and quality of life at pre-treatment, post-treatment and 4-week follow-up. Results: Pain reduction and improvement in functionality and quality of life after shockwave treatment significantly increased at post-treatment and 4-week follow-up compared to pre-treatment for both shockwave intervention group and therapeutic ultrasound group (p< 0.001). However, the results obtained with the shockwave intervention group were more pronounced than those in the therapeutic ultrasound in all parameters tested both at post-treatment and at 4-week follow-up. Conclusions: Ultrasound therapy was less effective than shockwave therapy in treating Achilles tendinopathy.